Congressional EtO Task Force Statement on EPA Affirming EtO Health Risk Determination

Statement

Today, the bipartisan Congressional Ethylene Oxide Task Force, released the following statement about the Environmental Protection Agency's Decision to stand by the 2016 IRIS Value of ethylene oxide (EtO):

"As Members of the bipartisan Congressional EtO Task Force, we have heard firsthand how harmful EtO is to impacted communities. As a result, one of the Task Force's top priorities has always been ensuring that the EPA upholds a strong standard in how they will regulate the chemical going forward. The EPA's decision today to uphold the 2016 IRIS value, despite the industry pushing for a weaker standard, is a huge step forward for our constituents who have been impacted by EtO. We applaud the EPA for listening and we look forward to continued collaboration with the agency to reduce the harmful effects of EtO on our communities going forward."

After years of advocacy from the Congressional EtO Task Force, the EPA announced today that it will continue relying on the agency's 2016, peer-reviewed IRIS value. The IRIS value guides how dangerously the Agency views EtO and how strictly the EPA will regulate the chemical going forward. The 2016 IRIS value showed that EtO is significantly more toxic and harmful to surrounding communities than was previously understood. By locking the 2016 value into agency regulations, the EPA is demonstrating commitment to preserving public health and protecting affected communities.

Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10) and Congressman Jody Hice (GA-10) founded the bipartisan Congressional EtO Task Force in 2019. Members include Reps: Troy Carter (LA-02), Sean Casten (IL-06), Bill Foster (IL- 11), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Barry Loudermilk (GA-11), David Scott (GA-13), Lauren Underwood (IL-14) and Susan Wild (PA-07).