EPA Proposes Weakening Pollution Limits on Chemical Used to Sterilize Medical Equipment

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

Mar. 14, 2026 at 12:03am

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The Environmental Protection Agency has proposed weakening air pollution limits on ethylene oxide, a chemical used to sterilize medical equipment. This would reverse a 2024 Biden administration rule that aimed to reduce ethylene oxide emissions by 90% at nearly 90 commercial sterilization facilities across the country. The EPA claims the current standards 'actively threaten' manufacturers' ability to sterilize equipment and 'jeopardize one of America's only options for a secure domestic supply chain of essential medical equipment'.

Why it matters

Ethylene oxide is crucial for sterilizing lifesaving medical devices, but long-term exposure can cause leukemia and other types of cancer among people who work at medical sterilization facilities or live nearby. The proposed rollback raises concerns about the health impacts on communities, especially minority neighborhoods, that are home to many of these facilities.

The details

The EPA's proposed rule would weaken the 2024 Biden-era standards that required companies to test for ethylene oxide in the air and ensure their pollution controls are functioning properly. The agency claims the current standards 'actively threaten' manufacturers' ability to sterilize equipment and 'jeopardize one of America's only options for a secure domestic supply chain of essential medical equipment'.

  • In 2016, the EPA first classified ethylene oxide as a human carcinogen.
  • In 2022, the EPA laid out the risks faced by residents who live near medical sterilization facilities.
  • In 2024, the EPA finalized a rule intended to reduce ethylene oxide emissions by about 90% at nearly 90 commercial sterilization facilities across the country.
  • On March 14, 2026, the EPA proposed to weaken the air pollution limits on ethylene oxide.

The players

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

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

Lee Zeldin

The EPA Administrator who said the proposed rule shows the agency's commitment to protecting people's health while maintaining a stable domestic medical supply chain.

Advanced Medical Technology Association

A trade group representing medical device manufacturers, whose president and CEO said they appreciate the EPA's efforts to balance protecting communities while ensuring a reliable supply of sterile medical technology.

American Lung Association

A health organization that hailed the 2024 EPA rule as an important step to protect human health from cancer caused by ethylene oxide emissions.

Midwest Sterilization Corp.

A medical sterilization company that operated a facility in Laredo, Texas that the EPA said posed a risk for nearby residents.

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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 (wbal.com)

“We appreciate the EPA's efforts in listening to and understanding the importance of supplying safe, sterile medical technology without interruption while protecting employees and communities near sterilization facilities.”

— Scott Whitaker, President and CEO, Advanced Medical Technology Association (wbal.com)

What’s next

The EPA's proposed rule will now go through a public comment period before the agency makes a final decision.

The takeaway

This proposed rollback of pollution limits on ethylene oxide highlights the tension between protecting public health and maintaining a secure supply of essential medical equipment. The decision will have significant implications for communities, especially minority neighborhoods, located near sterilization facilities.