Trump’s rollback of toxic gas rules limits EPA’s authority to protect public health, analysis says
Summary
The Trump administration plans to cancel new 2024 rules that reduce pollution from a toxic gas called ethylene oxide (EtO). This move would limit the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) power to tighten health protections against harmful air pollutants and could lead to more EtO being released into neighborhoods.Key Facts
- Ethylene oxide (EtO) is a toxic gas used to sterilize medical devices and some foods, but it can cause cancer, including leukemia.
- Recent science shows EtO is about 60 times more cancer-causing than what was believed in 2006.
- The Biden EPA passed rules in 2024 to cut EtO emissions by about 90% at 89 facilities using better monitoring and controls.
- The Trump EPA wants to undo these 2024 rules, which could result in nearly 8 tons more EtO being released annually.
- About 2.3 million people, mostly in low-income areas, could be exposed to harmful EtO emissions if the rollback happens.
- The rollback could also make it harder for the EPA to later strengthen rules against toxic air pollutants.
- The Trump EPA says rescinding the rules would save companies $47 million each year.
- The Clean Air Act requires the EPA to review risks from toxic chemicals, but it is not clear if multiple reviews are allowed; Biden’s EPA chose to update rules based on new scientific evidence.
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