SCHNEIDER, DURBIN, DUCKWORTH RELEASE STATEMENT ON CDC REPORT ON PUBLIC HEALTH IMPACT OF VANTAGE AND MEDLINE EtO FACILITIES
WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Brad Schneider (D-IL-10), founder and chair of the bipartisan Congressional Ethylene Oxide Task Force, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Environmental Justice Caucus, and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), co-founder and co-chair of the Senate Environmental Justice Caucus, today issued the following statement on the report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) evaluating the public health impacts of the ethylene oxide (EtO), a cancer-causing agent, emitted from the Vantage chemical manufacturing facility in Gurnee, Illinois, and the Medline medical sterilization facility in Waukegan, Illinois.
"Today’s report shows that stringent emissions controls and ambient air monitoring appear to be effective in helping ensure the air is safe to breathe for residents living near facilities that use ethylene oxide (EtO)," the lawmakers said. "We are pleased that recent measurements of EtO near Medline are consistent with measurements at locations in Lake County, and around the country, that are not close to any facilities using EtO. Nevertheless, it remains imperative that EtO levels continue to be monitored going forward so area residents can be confident their communities are safe. We also urge Vantage to resume air monitoring outside its Gurnee plant to give confidence that their control systems are working. Additionally, we urge the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to follow ATSDR’s advice and continue to improve analytical methods with lower detection limits to observe EtO levels. As Congressional representatives of these communities, we stand ready to help those impacted.”
The report, which was released today for public comment until August 5, analyzed EtO concentrations near the near the Medline facility in Waukegan from June 2019 to September 2023, and the Vantage plant in Gurnee from June 2019 to May 2020. Data for EtO measurements near the Vantage plant after May 2020 are not available.
ATSDR scientists will discuss the overall findings of the report with the community at an in-person public meeting on June 26, 2024, from 5:00pm – 8:00 pm CDT at the Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep.
Schneider, Durbin, and Duckworth have been strong advocates for addressing EtO emissions in Illinois and nationwide. Last July, the lawmakers led a letter signed by 40 Members of Congress to EPA supporting its proposed EtO sterilizer rule and advocating for additional measures in the final rule, including fence-line monitoring at sterilization facilities, coverage of off-site warehouses where sterilized equipment is stored, and an expedited compliance timeline to reduce dangerous emissions as quickly as possible. EPA finalized the rule in March, which will reduce EtO emission by more than 90% at facilities across the country. EPA and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are actively working with sterilization experts, medical device manufacturers, and other government agencies to advance innovative ways to sterilize medical devices with lower levels of currently used agents, and employ new agents or alternatives, while maintaining device safety and effectiveness.
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