EPA Proposes Weakening Pollution Limits on Sterilizing Chemical

The move would reverse a Biden-era rule aimed at reducing cancer risks from ethylene oxide emissions.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 8:03pm

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The Environmental Protection Agency has proposed weakening air pollution limits on ethylene oxide, a chemical used to sterilize medical equipment. The move would reverse a Biden administration rule that aimed to reduce emissions of the cancer-causing chemical by nearly 90% at sterilization facilities across the country.

Why it matters

Ethylene oxide is crucial for sterilizing lifesaving medical devices, but long-term exposure can increase the risk of leukemia and other cancers for workers and nearby residents, especially in minority communities. The EPA's proposal cites concerns that the current standards could 'jeopardize' the domestic medical supply chain.

The details

The EPA said the proposed rule shows the agency's commitment to protecting public health while maintaining a stable domestic supply of sterilized medical equipment. However, environmental and health advocates argue the move would roll back important protections against a known carcinogen.

  • In 2024, the EPA finalized a rule to reduce ethylene oxide emissions by about 90% at nearly 90 commercial sterilization facilities.
  • In February 2026, the EPA proposed weakening the 2024 pollution limits on ethylene oxide.

The players

Environmental Protection Agency

The U.S. federal agency responsible for protecting human health and the environment.

Lee Zeldin

The EPA Administrator under the Trump administration.

American Lung Association

A non-profit organization focused on lung health and air quality.

Midwest Sterilization Corp.

A medical sterilization company with a facility in Laredo, Texas.

Sterigenics

A major medical sterilization company that shuttered a plant in a Chicago suburb after emissions spikes.

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What they’re saying

“The Trump EPA is committed to ensuring life-saving medical devices remain available for the critical care of America's children, elderly and all patients without unnecessary exposure to communities.”

— Lee Zeldin, EPA Administrator (wral.com)

“The 2024 rule was an important step to protect human health from cancer caused by ethylene oxide emissions. People who live near commercial sterilization facilities are more likely to develop cancer over their lifetimes.”

— American Lung Association (wral.com)

What’s next

The EPA's proposed rule to weaken pollution limits on ethylene oxide will be open for public comment before the agency makes a final decision.

The takeaway

This proposal highlights the ongoing tension between protecting public health and maintaining a reliable supply of sterilized medical equipment. The decision will have significant implications for communities near sterilization facilities, especially minority neighborhoods that have historically borne a disproportionate burden of exposure to toxic chemicals.