Addition of Contract Sterilization Facilities for TRI Reporting EPA is expanding the scope of Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) reporting requirements to include certain contract sterilization facilities that are not currently reporting ethylene oxide (EtO) releases. Under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), the EPA Administrator has the 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 the Administrator deems appropriate. "For too long, many communities in this country, particularly those with environmental justice concerns, have been at risk of exposure to EtO without even knowing it," said Assistant Administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention Michal Freedhoff. "This determination will require companies that use the largest amounts of EtO in this industry sector to report to the TRI about their releases of this chemical and shed some light on potential exposures from this use. This will help inform EPA's future actions and empower communities to act at the local level." EPA has decided to issue a determination extending TRI reporting requirements to 29 facilities for EtO and to 16 facilities for ethylene glycol. Ethylene glycol is produced using ethylene oxide; thus, these chemicals may co-occur at facilities. Beginning in January 2022, these facilities should start tracking their activities involving EtO (and ethylene glycol, if applicable) releases and other waste management quantities. If reporting thresholds are met, the facilities must submit TRI data beginning in 2023. Have questions? Email us at tri.help@epa.gov |
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