EPA

CPLC Works to Prevent Weakening of EtO Standards

Karen Long MacLeod Campaign Updates, Community News , , , , , , , ,

[Geralt/Pixabay photo]
Clean Power Lake County is working to prevent the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from increasing the amount of ethylene oxide (EtO) chemical facilities can emit—and we need your help.

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) recently proposed a number that is 1,000 times worse for public health than national standards, according to environmental groups.

Unfortunately, what happens in Texas doesn’t necessarily stay in Texas.

We’re concerned that the EPA may adopt the weaker TCEQ model instead of keeping the current Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) guidelines.

Now is the time to stop the EPA from weakening EtO standards. Will you contact your member of Congress and ask them to demand the EPA reject the TCEQ risk assessment?

Feel free to write your own letter or copy our letter.

Then:

Or go to GovTrack to find your senator or representative.

CPLC Submits Formal Comments on Toxic Ethylene Oxide to EPA

Karen Long MacLeod Campaign Updates, Community News , , , , , , , , ,

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On March 27, 2019, Celeste Flores and Diana Burdette went to EPA headquarters in Washington, DC, to testify on the need to protect members of marginalized communities from toxic ethylene oxide (EtO) emissions. They spoke against the reversal of EPA’s Integrated Risk Information Systems data and urged EPA to follow its mandate to protect human health and the environment.

On April 26, they added their voices to those of many other environmental justice advocates by submitting their formal comment on behalf of Clean Power Lake County.

Key points in the comment:

  • EPA is using this rulemaking about hydrochloric acid production facilities to attempt to undercut the independent, scientific standard for ethylene oxide (which is causing extremely high cancer risk in many communities across the country), and EPA must abandon this attempt
  • Communities of color and low-income communities are disproportionately exposed to pollution from hydrochloric acid facilities
  • EPA is basing its proposal for little or no regulation of hydrochloric acid facility emissions on underreported and underestimated data
  • EPA claims that hydrochloric acid facility emissions are “acceptable” but is ignoring many emissions and risks that would demonstrate greater harm that requires reduction
  • EPA must consider and address the multiple and cumulative impacts that many communities face

Celeste Flores is Lake County Outreach Director for Faith in Place and co-chair of Clean Power Lake County. Diana Burdette is a member of Clean Power Lake County’s EtO team.

Read our comments to the EPA.