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Ethylene Oxide (EtO)
The chemical ethylene oxide (EtO) has long been known to be highly toxic, but in recent years, studies indicate the chemical may be hazardous at much lower concentrations than previously thought. Late in 2022, the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced results from its recent studies of EtO emissions at legacy commercial sterilizer facilities in 23 locations around the country, including one here in Memphis. That plant, located at 2396 Florida Street in southwest Memphis, is operated by Sterilization Services of Tennessee.The EPA hosted two meetings at Bloomfield Baptist Church on Thursday, June 8, 2023. View recordings of those meetings here:
- Recording of 6/8/23 morning session.
- Recording of 6/8/23 evening session.
On April 11, 2023, the EPA announced new proposed national standards that will require commercial sterilizers to reduce EtO emissions using the maximum achievable control technology, which is expected to reduce emissions by 80 percent. Read the proposal here: https://www.epa.gov/stationary-sources-air-pollution/ethylene-oxide-emissions-standards-sterilization-facilities
EPA is accepting public comments about these proposed revised regulations for commercial sterilizers, including Sterilization Services of Tennessee. Public comments are an important part of the EPA's rule revision process, and concerned Memphis residents are encouraged to participate. All public comments must be submitted by June 27, 2023.
To submit a comment online, click the button below:
Comments may also be submitted by email or U.S. Postal Service. Please follow the instructions below:
- E-mail: Send comments by email to a-and-r-docket@epa.gov, Attention Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2019-0178. Please include the docket number in the subject line of your email message.
- Mail: Environmental Protection Agency, EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), Mail Code 28221T, Attention Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2019-0178, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20460.
Shelby County Health Department is working with EPA to notify residents who live near the sterilization plant about risks posed by EtO.
SCHD requested a cancer incidence study by the Tennessee Department of Health's Tennessee Cancer Registry of the area of Sterilization Services of Tennessee. State epidemiologists studied rates of cancer in census tracts surrounding Sterilization Services of Tennessee compared to rates in another group of census tracts located elsewhere in Shelby County. The purpose: to find any cancer clusters that could be linked to EtO emissions from the Sterilization Services facility.
Shelby County Health Department hosted a community meeting at Monumental Baptist Church in South Memphis on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. during which Health Director-Health Officer Dr. Michelle Taylor presented the findings from the cancer cluster investigations.
- The summary report of the cancer incidence study presented at the meeting is linked here:
Cancer Incidence Summary Report. - Link to slides from the meeting presentation.
- Video of the meeting is available on the Shelby County Health Department's YouTube channel linked here.
Learn more about EtO: click here for answers to some frequently asked questions about the chemical and potential health impacts.
Last updated on June 12, 2023
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Kasia Smith-Alexander
AdministratorPhone: 901-222-9192
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Ethylene Oxide (EtO)
Phone: 1-800-241-1754
For more information on Ethylene Oxide and the Sterilization Services of Tennessee, please visit the EPA and TDEC websites.
Email EPA Region 4 at Region4EtO@epa.gov
- Does this cause respiratory problems and shortness of breath, along with fatigue?
- Is it possible that there were residents who had moved away from the area who might have cancer, but were not included in the study?
- Are people with lead exposure more vulnerable? Many homes have lead water lines. Over 90% of children tested for lead in this area.
- Is there a reason that throat cancer, aneurysms and other cancers are not included in this study?
- The former Trump Administration rolled back many EPA regulations. Can we ever be safe again?
- When did these gas emission results cause the EPA to become involved at this late date? The owners should have done their extensive study prior to establishing this hazardous source in our community.
- Will the Health Department do any testing on individuals for potential cancer of any kind?
- Has Sterilization Services said they would lower their Ethylene Oxide emissions?
- Why hasn’t our Health Department used their authority to force Sterilization Services to reduce Ethylene Oide emissions? Our Health Department has the authority by law to do this.
- What actions are being taken against the Sterilization company? These types of companies should be in remote areas.
- Why are these meetings held so far away from the communities affected? This church is 3.3 miles away from the facility. What about folks without transportation?
- Is there a lawsuit in the making for this matter because I hurt every day?
- When should the resident of 38109 expect any of these pending cancer-causing studies to be completed? What other actions in our regard should be taken?
- What should you do if you have been diagnosed with cancer?
- What should you do if you have cancer and do not have insurance for treatment?
- What can the Health Department do to provide access to care to those in the affected area?
- How long does it take for EPA’s proposed rule to become final and how long will facility have to comply? Will Sterilization Services consider making voluntary changes after the rule is published?
- Why does the Health Department not shut the facility down as a
- What are the individual services at the Shelby County Health Department?
- What are ways that the Shelby County Health Department can be more trustworthy to the community?
- When did EPA last review this and change emission standards?
- What makes people more vulnerable to cancer from EtO?
- Does the lack of evidence of cancer clusters mean there is no elevated risk of cancer?
- Instead of conducting a cancer incidence study, why not test Ethylene Oxide levels in the air?
- What has Sterilization Services said they would do?
- Would it not be better to move the sterilization plant to another area as a preventative measure for the safety of the neighborhood?