EPA’s Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards presented a webinar to review EPA's proposed new actions on EtO to require more stringent emissions standards and additional worker protections. EPA’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention released a Proposed Interim Decision (PID) that indicates they will consider proposing a phased cancellation of EtO use on specific spices/commodities without documentation showing that alternatives are not viable and the need for EtO is critical to food safety, as well as additional controls to protect worker safety. Additionally, EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation has released proposed revisions to a second residual risk and technology review for Ethylene Oxide Emissions Standards for Sterilization Facilities: National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants to regulate room air emissions, modify standards, and require new reporting processes. The session speakers were Susan Bartow, Chemical Review Manager, EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs, and Jonathan Witt, Environmental Engineer, EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs.

On Thursday, April 4, ASTA presented this webinar to hear a summary of the final NESHAP rule and discussion on its implications for spice companies using EtO. This was presented by David Howe, Chief Operating Officer with Cosmed Group, Inc. and Elizabeth “Liz” Alice Och an Attorney with Hogan Lovells LLP