Final EPA Assessment of Ethylene Oxide Sets Strict Cancer Potency Estimate

In December 2016, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued its third and final assessment of ethylene Oxide (EtO), a commonly used sterilizing chemical in health care. The final estimate is more health protective than advocated for by industry officials and trade groups who have urged the EPA to account for the fact that EtO is highly beneficial for cleaning, and sterilizing medical equipment and other items. For some devices there is no known alternative, some argued.

EtO has been a high priority substance for Health Care Without Harm for many years and continues to help healthcare institutions move towards safer chemicals and cleaning products

[Source: InsideEPA]