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Ethylene Oxide (EtO): Status Update on Available Measurement and Monitoring Technologies
Citation:
Yelverton, T. Ethylene Oxide (EtO): Status Update on Available Measurement and Monitoring Technologies. EPA ORD Webinar for States, RTP, NC, August 11, 2022.
Impact/Purpose:
Ethylene Oxide (EtO) is a hazardous air pollutant that can be emitted from a variety of sources, and in recent years it has become more of a concern for the public given the associated health risks. In 2016 EPA updated the EtO IRIS assessment and characterized EtO as carcinogenic to humans, with a 100-in-a-million cancer risk of approximately 11 ppt. As a pollutant of emerging concern, ORD proposed research to gain a better understanding of potential sources, solutions to measurement of emissions, and monitoring needs.
Description:
Ethylene Oxide (EtO) is a hazardous air pollutant that can be emitted from a variety of sources. This presentation will give a high-level overview of the research priorities needed to better understand EtO in the environment (sources, measurement technologies, monitoring options, etc.) and research updates related to measurement and monitoring technologies, where they could be most applicable for characterizing emissions at various levels, and also the variety of limitations associated with these technologies. Additionally, discussion of ongoing and planned research will showcase how detection limits have been lowered and the ongoing development of a draft guidance document to assist states and communities in addressing their EtO measurement and monitoring needs.