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

November 20, 2019

ACC Jumps Into Ethylene Oxide Debate

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

November 19, 2019

Housing Starts Update

A good report . . .

U.S. housing starts rebound; permits highest in over 12 years

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – U.S. homebuilding rebounded in October and permits for future home construction jumped to a more than 12-year high, pointing to strength in the housing market amid lower mortgage rates.

FILE PHOTO: Development and construction continues on a large scale housing project of over 600 homes in Oceanside, California, U.S., June 25, 2018. REUTERS/Mike Blake

Housing starts increased 3.8% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.314 million units last month, with single-family construction rising for a fifth straight month and activity in the volatile multi-family sector rebounding solidly, the Commerce Department said on Tuesday.

Data for September was revised to show homebuilding declining to a pace of 1.266 million units, instead of decreasing to a rate of 1.256 million units as previously reported.

Economists polled by Reuters had forecast housing starts increasing to a pace of 1.320 million units in October.

Housing starts advanced 8.5% on a year-on-year basis in October. Building permits surged 5.0% to a rate of 1.461 million units in October, the highest level since May 2007. Permits were driven by the single-family housing segment, which increased 3.2% to the highest level since August 2007.

The housing market, the most sensitive sector to interest rates, has perked up in recent months, catching up to the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy easing, which has pushed down mortgage rates from last year’s multi-year highs.

Read more here: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-economy/u-s-housing-starts-rebound-permits-highest-in-over-12-years-idUSKBN1XT1S1?feedType=RSS&feedName=newsOne