Congressman Cohen Tells Sterilization Services of Tennessee that Silence and Inaction on Ethylene Oxide Emissions is Unacceptable

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) has written a second letter to Sterilization Services of Tennessee General Manager David Connor demanding an explanation for why the company’s facility in Memphis has not taken action to reduce ethylene oxide emissions when the company’s plants in Georgia and Virginia have taken proactive steps.

The letter reads in part:

“With the finding that ethylene oxide (EtO) is sixty times more hazardous than previously known and given that many other sterilization facilities have already made improvements to reduce EtO emissions, I request an explanation for why Sterilization Services of Tennessee (SST) has not taken action to reduce emissions as the company has at their Virginia and Georgia sites and urge SST to begin taking steps immediately to reduce emissions.

“Since 2016, nearly 40 sterilization facilities have reduced emissions by installing dry bed systems to rear sterilization vents, upgrading leak detection and repair, installing continuous emissions monitoring systems, or making other modifications to their operations. In fact, both of SST’s sister facilities have reduced emissions. Sterilization Services of Georgia installed dry bed reactors and enhanced monitoring that included weekly monitoring of the new dry beds to ensure 99 percent reduction in EtO emissions, and testing of all emission reduction equipment monthly. In Richmond, where approximately 109,000 people live within five miles of the Sterilization Services of Virginia, the facility installed a new wet scrubber in the back vent, cutting overall emissions by approximately 50 percent.

“Through its actions at its facilities in Georgia and Virginia, Sterilization Services has exhibited that it is able to reduce EtO emissions. What is confounding at this point is why Sterilization Services has not taken similar measures in Memphis and why it is willing to remain among the 23 EtO facilities of highest concern by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

“During a recent public hearing hosted by the EPA, several attendees listed their family and friends who have died from cancer over the years. Some citizens expressed fear of walking outside or gardening due to the long-term effects that exposure to EtO may have on their health.

“I would appreciate an answer as to why improvements have not been made to the SST facility, especially when improvements have been made to the Georgia and Virginia sites. I would think that you would want to be a good corporate citizen by taking immediate steps to voluntarily reduce EtO emissions prior to a final rule being issued by the EPA and making public any modifications taken to alleviate the concerns of the community. Doing so would go a long way to ease the public’s concerns.

“Perpetual inaction and silence are sure to harden those fears and increase animosity within the Memphis community. I hope you will choose proactive action to reduce emissions and look forward to your response.”

See the entire letter here.

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