Following Bipartisan Push by Congressional Task Force, EPA OIG Report Calls for Stricter Regulations of Ethylene Oxide

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressmen Brad Schneider (IL-10) and Jody Hice (GA-10), co-chairs of the bipartisan Congressional Ethylene Oxide Task Force, released the following statement on behalf of the Task Force in response to Thursday's report by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Inspector General (OIG) recommending stricter regulation of ethylene oxide (EtO), including conducting both a technology and residual risk review:

"Our constituents have long known ethylene oxide (EtO) was toxic, and for months we've been pushing the EPA to take action that more strictly regulates EtO and protects public health. We applaud the recent Inspector General report calling for just that, including a new residual risk review and technology review for EtO," said Schneider and Hice. "EPA has a long way to go towards fully addressing this issue, such as conducting ambient air monitoring in affected communities like we've advocated. But this OIG report represents significant progress and recognizes what we've long called for: a public health-focused, stringent regulation of EtO that ensures the air our constituents breathe is safe."

Founded by Schneider and Hice in 2020 to coordinate Congressional action on EtO, the bipartisan Congressional Ethylene Oxide Task Force membership includes Reps. 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).