In this update includes:

• The Office of the U.S. EPA Inspector General released a congressionally requested report on improving air quality
• The report found that the EPA delayed risk communications and issued instructions hindering Region 5’s (an area including Illinois) ability to address ethylene oxide emissions

The Office of the US EPA Inspector General released a 37 page report on April 15, 2021. The report was requested in four congressional requests, including a joint request from Sen. Tammy Duckworth, Sen. Dick Durbin and Rep. Foster of Illinois.

The Office of the Inspector General notes “The EPA did not achieve its mission when senior leaders issued instructions to Region 5 that impacted the region’s ability to address ethylene oxide emissions and when the EPA delayed communicating health risks regarding ethylene oxide.”

The findings of the report are available on the EPA’s website, located here: https://www.epa.gov/office-inspector-general/epa-delayed-risk-communication-and-issued-instructions-hindering-region-5s