Erie, Pennsylvania (Cosmed Group LLC/Erie)
Cosmed Group LLC/Erie is located at 2205 E. 33rd Street, Erie, 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 Cosmed Group LLC/Erie 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 Erie community. EPA is committed to working with state and local agencies, facilities, and communities to reduce this risk.
Cosmed Group LLC/Erie
This map shows EPA’s estimates of lifetime cancer risks from EtO near Cosmed Group LLC/Erie in Erie, 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.
The area in dark blue on the map shows that EtO exposure could contribute to a maximum increased risk level of 3 cancer cases if 10,000 people were exposed for 70 years (or 300 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.
Additional Details
Cosmed Group LLC/Erie is a company that utilizes EtO to sterilize medical products (100%). To control emissions from their facility, the company installed a wet scrubber and a combo water balancer/catalytic oxidizer.
Update August 2022: The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has verified that new controls have been installed and are operational as of August 9, 2022.
As a result of these changes made by the facility, the risk level for the Cosmed, Erie, PA facility has decreased.
What EPA is Doing to Address Ethylene Oxide
Now: EPA finalized regulations for Ethylene Oxide Commercial Sterilizers that will significantly lower risk in the community. EPA is working with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to reduce emissions at Cosmed Group LC/Erie. EPA has provided technical support to our air agency partners as part of this work. As part of our strategy to address EtO emissions from commercial sterilization facilities nationally, 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.
- Learn more about regulation for EtO Sterilization Facilities.
- For more information about actions you can take.
Video from the Community Meeting
A community meeting was held on January 19, 2023, regarding Cosmed Group LLC/Erie, located at 2205 E. 33rd Street, Erie, PA. The facility uses ethylene oxide (EtO) to sterilize medical equipment and materials. This meeting was held online via Zoom at 6:00 PM.
Watch the recording on EPA's YouTube channel.