Urethane Blog

ACC Jumps Into Ethylene Oxide Debate

November 20, 2019

ACC Statement on New Congressional Task Force on Ethylene Oxide

Tom Flanagin
(202) 249-6509

WASHINGTON (November 20, 2019) – Today, the American Chemistry Council released the following statement on the creation of a new Congressional Ethylene Oxide Task Force:

“We understand and appreciate the concerns that people have about the air they breathe and welcome the opportunity to discuss ethylene oxide with Congressional lawmakers. No one should have to question whether the air they breathe is clean. That’s why companies that make and work with ethylene oxide are actively investing in research and cutting-edge product stewardship technologies — so that we can continue to help protect the health of our communities. As a result of these actions, industrial ethylene oxide emissions have already fallen nationwide by over 80% since 2002.

“Ethylene oxide is a versatile and valuable compound that’s used to help make countless everyday products. We use it to make household cleaners and personal care items, create fabrics, and manufacture raw materials into more useful forms. A small but critical use of ethylene oxide is the sterilization of medical equipment. It’s estimated that more than 50 percent of all medical devices that families rely on are sterilized with ethylene oxide.

“There has been much confusion about the health risk of ethylene oxide, and we look forward to clarifying these issues as we work with this new task force and continue to protect the safety of our communities, our environment and our workers.”

 

Read more here:  https://www.americanchemistry.com/Media/PressReleasesTranscripts/ACC-news-releases/ACC-Statement-on-New-Congressional-Task-Force-on-Ethylene-Oxide.html

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