Today, Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) learned that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is warning residents near the Sterilization Services of Tennessee facility located at 2396 Florida Street in South Memphis about increased health risks from emissions of ethylene oxide. This chemical is widely used in sterilizing medical devices, but long-term exposure to it at the concentration that the EPA detected near some commercial sterilizers can increase a person’s risk of developing cancer.
Congressman Cohen made the following statement:
“I am very concerned about the emissions based on the history of this chemical in other cities. It is fortunate that the risk was detected and that federal officials are working to address it. I am in close contact with the EPA and Memphis and Shelby County officials to ensure that adequate testing and safety measures are in place and to engage the surrounding community about the risk of exposure.”
The EPA found that the emissions from the facility in Memphis and at facilities in 13 states and Puerto Rico exceed benchmark health levels. Their analysis indicated that emission levels are too low to pose health risks from short-term exposures, but found that a lifetime of exposure could lead to long-term health impacts if facilities like the one in Memphis continue to emit at the current levels. The EPA announced that it is working with these facilities to take appropriate steps to reduce emissions and that it is reaching out to surrounding communities to engage and inform them about the risks.
Original source can be found here.
