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⚠️OSHA Extends Comment Period for Ethylene Oxide Proposed Rule

OSHA is extending the period for submitting comments by 60 days to allow stakeholders interested in the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on Ethylene Oxide additional time to review the NPRM and collect information and data necessary for comment.

🏥Regulatory Relief for Medical Sterilization Facilities Announced

Proclamation 10959 by the President grants a two-year exemption from compliance with the EtO Rule for specified commercial sterilization facilities. This exemption arises from concerns regarding the critical role of ethylene oxide in sterilizing medical equipment, emphasizing national security and the need to ensure availability of essential medical devices for patient care.

🦺OSHA Proposes Amendments to Ethylene Oxide Respirator Standards

This proposed rule revises some substance-specific respirator requirements to allow different types of respirators to be used under OSHA's Ethylene Oxide standard and better aligns this standard with OSHA's Respiratory Protection standard.

🌎Proposed EPA Regulations on Ethylene Oxide Emissions Standards

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to establish a new area source category to address chemical manufacturing process units (CMPUs) using ethylene oxide (EtO). The EPA is proposing to list EtO in table 1 to the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for Chemical Manufacturing Area Sources (referred to as the CMAS NESHAP in this document) and to add EtO- specific requirements to the CMAS NESHAP. The EPA is also proposing to add a fenceline monitoring program for EtO. In addition, the EPA is proposing new requirements for pressure vessels and pressure relief devices (PRDs). This proposal also presents the results of the EPA's technology review of the CMAS NESHAP as required under the Clean Air Act (CAA). As part of this technology review, the EPA is proposing to add new leak detection and repair (LDAR) requirements to the CMAS NESHAP for equipment leaks in organic HAP service and heat exchange systems. The EPA is also proposing performance testing once every 5 years and to add provisions for electronic reporting. We estimate that the proposed amendments to the CMAS NESHAP, excluding the proposed EtO emission standards, would reduce hazardous air pollutant (HAP) emissions from emission sources by approximately 158 tons per year (tpy). Additionally, the proposed EtO emission standards are expected to reduce EtO emissions by approximately 4.6 tpy.

🏥New Air Toxics Standards for

⚖️EPA Interim Decision on Ethylene Oxide

This notice announces the availability of EPA's interim registration review decision for ethylene oxide (EtO).