CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection announced Friday it is working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on a strategy over a flammable chemical.
Ethylene oxide is a colorless gas used for sterilizing medical and dental equipment. The EPA recently elevated the risk of ethylene oxide as a hazardous air pollutant compared to its previous analysis.
“Our agency has identified and initiated an updated review of EtO emitters in West Virginia,” said Austin Caperton, the secretary of the state Department of Environmental Protection.
“We are developing strategies that will provide more detailed emissions data that may be required for compliance with any new federal guidelines. We are also in contact with regulatory agencies in other states regarding how they are addressing this matter.”