Zelienople, Pennsylvania (American Contract Systems Inc.)
American Contract Systems Inc. is located at 4050 Jacksons Pointe Court, Zelienople, PA. 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 American Contract Systems Inc. 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 Zelienople community. EPA is committed to working with state and local agencies, facilities, and communities to reduce this risk.
NOTE: The risk information on this map, from July 2022, is no longer current. EPA is archiving this map because it no longer portrays everything we know about risk. In a number of cases, commercial sterilizers have made improvements or changes to operations that have reduced risks to residents.
EPA has proposed two new actions to address emissions of ethylene oxide from commercial sterilizers and to reduce risks for people who live, work, or go to school near these facilities. Learn about these actions.
American Contract Systems Inc.
This map shows EPA’s estimates of lifetime cancer risks from EtO near American Contract Systems Inc. in Zelienople, PA. 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. 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.
Additional Details
American Contract Systems Inc. was founded in 2000. Its headquarters is in Minneapolis, Minnesota and currently employs staff in ten states. The Zelienople facility was founded in 2014 and has approximately 15 employees. The facility is a manufacturer of surgical and medical equipment with sterilization services. EtO is injected into sealed packages to sterilize equipment. American Contract Systems, Inc. estimates that it uses about 80 lbs. of EtO per month.
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection is working with American Contract Systems Inc. to install controls.
What EPA is Doing to Address Ethylene Oxide
Now: EPA is working with the State of Pennsylvania to re-evaluate emissions at American Contract Systems, Inc. EPA has provided technical support to our air agency partners as part of this work as they re-evaluate the emissions and modeling for reconsideration for the EtO Sterilizer Rule. 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.
Soon: Later this year, EPA will propose strengthening current regulations for Ethylene Oxide Commercial Sterilizers. EPA will consider risk as part of the proposed regulations.
- Learn more about regulation for EtO Sterilization Facilities.
- For more information about actions you can take.