JaLEPA DeRoyal Industries New Tazewell, TN Comment Period Now Open for Proposed Ethylene Oxide Rule May 2023 Fact Sheet Introduction The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is reaching out to residents surrounding commercial sterilizers that release high levels of a chemical called ethylene oxide (EtO) into the air, including DeRoyal Industries located at 1135 Hwy 33 South in New Tazewell. EtO is a colorless, odorless gas that is often used for sterilization purposes. Inhalation of EtO at elevated levels over a lifetime can increase a person's risk of getting cancer. However, single-day exposures to the concentrations found in residential communities are not an immediate threat to an individual's health. Public Meeting Thursday, June 1, 2023 Walters State Community College 1325 Claiborne St, Tazewell, TN 37879 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Call-in No: (646) 828-7666 Webinar ID: 161 824 6161 Attend in person or virtually Register for the meeting here: httDs://bit.lv/41JVPU The EPA is sharing this information because communities have a right to know about emissions that could affect their health and well-being. Specifically, the EPA is proposing rules related to the regulation of EtO emissions under the Clean Air Act (CAA) and broad set of protections under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). The EPA will host a community meeting in person and via Zoom on Thursday, June 1, 2023, to provide residents an opportunity to learn more about EPA's proposed actions and how to submit comments on the proposed rules. Please follow the instructions in the blue box above to register for the meeting. The EPA proposed new rules and mitigation controls to limit EtO emissions and protect workers in commercial sterilizer facilities and is seeking input from the public. In the interim, the Agency is working with DeRoyal Industries and other sterilizers across the country on ways they can voluntarily control emissions to reduce risk. The comment periods for the CAA proposed rule and the FIFRA proposed decision close on June 27, 2023. During that time, any person can provide comments to the Agency about any aspect of the proposed rule and/or decision. To learn more about the proposed rules and how to comment, please visit www.epa.gov/eto. The EPA's Proposed Rules In April 2023, the EPA issued proposals that will reduce risk in communities and for workers: 1. Reducing EtO Emissions from Commercial Sterilizers: The EPA proposed to strengthen emission standards for the 86 commercial sterilizers that are currently operating across the country as well as for new sterilizers. These requirements, if finalized, will reduce the amount of EtO emitted I ------- from commercial sterilizers by 80 percent and will reduce risk in nearby communities to levels below the Clean Air Act benchmark for elevated risk. 2. Reducing Risk to Workers in the Sterilization Industry: The EPA proposed a broad set of new protections under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act that will reduce risk for all workers who use EtO to sterilize things and for others who work, live, or go to school near sterilization facilities. Please visit www.epa.gov/eto for additional information, including a link to view the EPA's August 10th National Public Webinar, location-specific maps, information about individual commercial sterilizers, and health risks for residents and workers. Background The EPA has regulated EtO emissions for 30 years, however in 2016, new scientific information revealed that EtO is more toxic than previously understood. This prompted the EPA to conduct nationwide analyses and intensive data collection, which has revealed that certain communities near commercial sterilizers could have elevated cancer risks due to lifetime exposures to EtO. The EPA has determined that portions of New Tazewell neighborhoods in the vicinity of DeRoyal Industries may have an estimated lifetime cancer risk at or above 100 in a million. A lifetime cancer risk of 100 in a million means that, if 1 million people were exposed to this level of EtO in the air 24 hours a day for 70 years, 100 people could be expected to develop cancer from that exposure. The risk gradually increases as you get closer to the facility, reaching an estimated maximum of 3,000 in a million in areas closest to DeRoyal. Contact Information: If you or someone you know would like to be added to EPA's distribution list to receive future updates, please contact Region4EtO@epa.gov or 1-800-241-1754. V J 2 ------- |