Air Pollution Clean Air Act Environmental Protection 
Union of Concerned Scientists
MARCH 18, 2024
Last week, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized updated regulations for certain facilities that emit ethylene oxide (EtO), a colorless, cancer-causing gas. Under the Clean Air Act, EPA is required to review and revise standards for “hazardous air pollutants” (including ethylene oxide), every eight years.
Union of Concerned Scientists
SEPTEMBER 30, 2024
When we breathe the air or drink the water, we’re taking in any potential contaminants all at once—with effects that can combine or even compound. However, since major US environmental laws are enacted to protect the air, water, and land separately (i.e. It’s important to look at the bigger picture.
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PA Environment Daily
MARCH 28, 2025
On March 24, the US Environmental Protection Agency posted information on how industries regulated under a variety of federal Clean Air Act programs could obtain Presidential Exemptions from those requirements.
Union of Concerned Scientists
SEPTEMBER 22, 2023
In a major win for community members in South Memphis, Tennessee, a facility emitting a toxic air pollutant— ethylene oxide (EtO)—announced late last month that it will close its doors. We also estimated that EtO emissions contributed to more than 80 percent of the cancer risk attributable to toxic air pollution around the facility.
Union of Concerned Scientists
JULY 9, 2024
To explore a small piece of what is at stake, let’s take a quick look at some of the rules currently under review at the EPA: Air emission reporting requirements If finalized and implemented, this rule will improve the way air pollution emissions are estimated and collected by the EPA.
Union of Concerned Scientists
OCTOBER 6, 2022
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Toxicology Program, and the International Association of Research on Cancer classify EtO as a substance that can cause certain cancers. EPA plans to issue a Clean Air Act rulemaking for commercial sterilizers later this year and for other chemical facilities soon, as well.
Union of Concerned Scientists
FEBRUARY 21, 2024
Breathing ethylene oxide in the air over a long period of time is associated with an increased risk of developing cancer, especially white blood cell and breast cancers. Workers at these facilities and children who are exposed are especially at risk.
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