New Tazewell, Tennessee (DeRoyal Industries)
DeRoyal Industries is located at 1135 Highway 33, South New Tazewell, TN. The facility uses ethylene oxide (EtO) to sterilize medical equipment and materials.
EPA scientists and analysts recently completed a risk assessment to understand the impact of EtO emissions from the DeRoyal Industries facility. As part of this risk assessment, we used the most recent available information about how much EtO the company emits into the air and we modeled estimated cancer risks to people living nearby. The risk assessment identified elevated cancer risk in the New Tazewell community. EPA is committed to working with state and local agencies, facilities, and communities to reduce this risk.
DeRoyal Industries
This map shows EPA’s estimates of lifetime cancer risks from EtO near DeRoyal Industries in New Tazewell, TN. As you can see from the map risk decreases with distance from the facility.
The area in blue shows estimated lifetime cancer risks of 100 in a million or greater from breathing air containing EtO emitted from the facility (or the same as 1 additional cancer case in 10,000 people). A lifetime cancer risk of 100 in a million means that, if 1 million people were exposed to this level of EtO in the air 24 hours a day for 70 years, 100 people would be expected to develop cancer from that exposure.
The area in dark blue on the map shows that EtO exposure could contribute to a maximum increased risk level of 30 cancer cases if 10,000 people were exposed for 70 years (or 3,000 in 1 million). EPA cannot predict whether an individual person will develop cancer.
View a larger version of the map and legend in a new browser tab.
For this risk assessment, we looked at excess cancer risk attributable to a single chemical, EtO. This estimated risk is in addition to the risk of developing cancer from other causes. This is a worst-case scenario that assumes a person stays in the highest risk area 24 hours a day continuously for 70 years. EPA takes this approach because we want to be protective of the most exposed and most vulnerable individuals from risk associated with EtO emissions from this facility.
Community Details
The community is located in East Tennessee, in southwest Claiborne County, stretching in a linear fashion along Tennessee State Highway (Hwy) 33. DeRoyal Industries began operation in 1973 and is a manufacturer and commercial sterilizer of medical equipment. The current facility on Hwy 33 has process equipment that is controlled by acid water scrubbers and a catalytic oxidizer. An expansion of the facility was permitted in 2020, and the permit was revised in 2021 to reflect additional controls added to the design of the expanded facility.
What EPA is Doing to Address Ethylene Oxide
Now: EPA is working with the state of Tennessee to reduce emissions at DeRoyal Industries. EPA has provided technical support to our air agency partners as part of this work. The Agency is reviewing controls on regulated equipment and processes that emit EtO to determine whether additional air pollution controls are needed. This review includes examining new developments in practices, processes and control technologies, considering cost and feasibility, as well as addressing any previously unregulated emission points.
On April 5th, the EPA published the final rule to strengthen standards for Commercial Sterilizers that use ethylene oxide (EtO), which apply to more than 80 sterilizers around the country. This rule will reduce EtO emissions by over 90 percent nationwide, reducing cancer risk in dozens of communities. The new rule includes tighter emission standards for stack emissions, establish standards to control fugitive emissions, requirements for continuous emissions monitoring systems, and enhanced monitoring and reporting requirements. EPA will provide technical support to TDEC as they begin implementing the new Commercial Sterilizers rule. More information is available on the EPA’s website. A Frequently Asked Questions document and a fact sheet explaining the final rule are also available on this website.
- Learn more about regulation for EtO Sterilization Facilities.
- For more information about actions you can take.
- View the Ethylene Oxide Emissions Information for Residents October 2022 Fact Sheet (pdf)
Contact EPA Region 4 at Region4EtO@epa.gov or 1-800-241-1754.
Community Meetings
Two community meetings were held on October 25, 2022 at the Walters State Community College Auditorium located at 1325 Claiborne St, Tazewell, TN 37879. View the recordings of those meetings using the links below.
Morning Session:
Community Meeting: 11:15 am - 12:45 pm ET: https://youtu.be/P28Jf96oF80
Evening Session:
Community Meeting: 7:15 - 8:45 pm ET: https://youtu.be/qKVCw9-8Zp0