Certain Facilities Notified About Potential EtO Reporting RequirementsToday, the EPA is taking a critical first step forward to expand the scope of TRI reporting requirements to include certain contract sterilization facilities that are not currently reporting on ethylene oxide (EtO) releases. Under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), the EPA Administrator has discretionary authority to extend TRI reporting requirements to specific facilities based on a chemical's toxicity, the facility's proximity to other facilities that release the chemical or to population centers, any history of releases of the chemical at the facility, or other factors that the Administrator deems appropriate. EPA has sent letters to 31 facilities providing notice that it is considering requiring those facilities to report EtO releases to the TRI under this discretionary authority. Some of these facilities will receive notice that they may also be required to report ethylene glycol releases to the TRI. Ethylene glycol is produced using ethylene oxide; thus, both chemicals may co-occur at facilities. Ethylene oxide and ethylene glycol have been on the TRI toxic chemical list since its inception in 1987. "EPA is committed to taking action to protect people from exposure to EtO, especially children, workers and residents in underserved and overburdened communities," said Assistant Administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention Michal Freedhoff. "Requiring companies that use the largest amounts of EtO in this industry sector to report on this chemical will help inform EPA's future actions and ensure that communities have access to the best information available so they can take necessary action." | 
