A Republican and Democratic lawmaker established a bipartisan task force Nov. 20 to pressure the EPA into strengthening air pollution limits for the toxic gas ethylene oxide because of the chemical’s potential to elevate cancer risks in humans.
Reps. Brad Schneider (D-Ill.) and Jody Hice (R-Ga.) announced the congressional task force, which in part will contemplate moving legislation (H.R. 1152) to urge the Environmental Protection Agency to update regulations for ethylene oxide used by medical sterilization and chemical manufacturing facilities. It also reflects their frustration with the EPA’s slow pace of updating standards for this industry.
That bill, which ...