Sterilizer plants release a cancer-causing gas. The Biden administration will make them cut those emissions by 90 percent

The Biden administration is cutting emissions of cancer-causing chemicals released by companies that sterilize medical devices and other products.

Plants used to sterilize products such as medical equipment and spices release a chemical called ethylene oxide, which is associated with an increased risk of white blood cell cancer and breast cancer in women.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says there is an increased risk of cancer in areas around 23 factories across the country, with some posing a “very high risk.”

But the agency on Thursday announced rules forcing factories to cut emissions, saying it expects the rules to reduce ethylene oxide emissions from factories by more than 90 percent.

“This final rule, which significantly reduces toxic emissions of ethylene oxide, responds to the ambitions set forth in President Biden’s Cancer Moonshot,” EPA Administrator Michael Regan said in a written statement.

“We have arrived at a historically strong rule that ensures a process that protects our nation’s critical sterile medical equipment supply while protecting the communities most exposed to harmful air pollution,” he said. added.

But environmental and health advocates are expected to argue that the rule does not fully address the issue. They also called on the agency to address contamination emanating from off-site warehouses where medical equipment treated with ethylene oxide is stored.

Asked about this, government officials told reporters Wednesday that agencies would need more information, including on the level of emissions and how they can be reduced.

The official said the agency plans to take additional steps to collect that information and may regulate warehouses in the future.

EPA is also giving industry more time to adapt to the rule than when it was first proposed last year.

At the time, it said companies needed to comply within 18 months. Currently, the largest facilities have two years to comply, while smaller facilities have three years to comply, with the possibility of an additional year extension.

Meanwhile, the industry is pushing back against the EPA’s efforts. Industry groups said the proposed and now revised schedule last year was too short and accused the agency of exaggerating the chemicals’ toxicity.

It is expected to cost $313 million for the 88 existing and two planned facilities in the country that use this substance to comply with this regulation.

But the rule is also expected to reduce cancer risk for the 19,000 people currently exposed to concentrations of toxic chemicals whose cancer risk is at levels unacceptable to government agencies.