Ethylene Oxide Update #64: February 10, 2025
• Information on Representative Mayfield’s HB3505
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) has updated its website to include the 2024 Q4 data related to Vantage's permit. The results indicate Vantage concluded 2024 at 49.76 pounds (45.24% of permitted annual total) of ethylene oxide (EtO) emissions, of which 47.26 pounds (78.77% of permitted annual total) were fugitive emissions. In 2020 the total amount released was 62.44lbs, in 2021 the total amount released was 21.18lbs, in 2022 the total amount released was 47.81lbs and in 2023 the total amount released was 20.21lbs. Public Act 101-0023 and Vantage's Construction Permit limit the facility to 110 pounds of emissions annually of which no more than 60 pounds can be fugitive emissions.
The Q4 submission noted, "No deviations (i.e., missed daily calibrations or other events) during the quarterly period." It also noted, "There were no leaking components in all of Q4 2024."
At the request of Gurnee Mayor Tom Hood, Representative Rita Mayfield has introduced legislation in the 104th General Assembly amending the Environmental Protection Act as it relates to ethylene oxide (EtO). The proposed legislation adds requirements for an Ambient Air Monitoring Plan for non-sterilization (i.e.: manufacturing) facilities that substantially mirror requirements in provisions regarding ethylene oxide emissions from sterilization facilities. The legislation also changes the definition of "nonnegligible ethylene oxide emissions source" to any EtO emissions source permitted by the Agency that currently emits more than 30 pounds of ethylene oxide, with certain other requirements (rather than an EtO emissions source permitted by the Agency that currently emits more than 150 pounds of EtO, with certain other requirements).
Once the proposed legislation is assigned to a committee, interested parties will be able to file a Witness Slip stating their position. The Village will share future information on how to file a Witness Slip when available. At that time the Village encourages the community members to file as “Proponents”.
The legislation is a result Mayor Hood’s request to Representative Mayfield following the release of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry’s (ATSDR) draft health consultation entitled: Health Evaluation of Ethylene Oxide (EtO) Concentrations in Outdoor Air Near Medline Industries and Vantage Specialty Chemicals. Currently, facilities that use EtO for sterilization are required to conduct air sampling at their property lines, as well as in the surrounding community. Facilities that use EtO as part of a manufacturing process are not required to conduct this additional air sampling. HB3505 will correct this inconsistency.