Jackson, Missouri (Midwest Sterilization Corporation)
Midwest Sterilization Corporation is located at 1204 Lenco Avenue, Jackson, MO. 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 Midwest Sterilization Corporation 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 Jackson community. EPA is committed to working with state and local agencies, facilities, and communities to reduce this risk.
Midwest Sterilization Corporation
This map shows EPA’s estimates of lifetime cancer risks from EtO near Midwest Sterilization Corporation in Jackson, MO. 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 20 cancer cases if 10,000 people were exposed for 70 years (or 2,000 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
Midwest Sterilization operates an ethylene oxide sterilizing facility in Jackson, Mo. It has been in operation and located at its present location since 1999.
EPA Region 7 and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources have been working with Midwest Sterilization since November 2018 to verify compliance with all applicable requirements and to characterize emissions and model risk from those emissions.
Midwest Sterilization voluntarily installed, commissioned and tested additional controls (not required by Clean Air Act regulations) for the sterilization chamber vents (back vents) in October 2019. The additional controls consist of an acid scrubber and associated ancillary equipment. The voluntary installation of controls resulted in ethylene oxide emission reductions from back-vents by more than 99 percent.
In December of 2019, EPA Region 7 staff traveled to Jackson, Mo., to share technical information local with public officials, engage community residents and share educational information on Ethylene Oxide and actions taken by the facility. EPA Region 7 led the outreach and engagement, which took place with the facility, elected officials, state regulators (Missouri DNR and Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services), community leaders and the public.
On May 22, 2018, an EPA Region 7 inspector conducted a compliance inspection of the Midwest Sterilization facility in Jackson, MO under Clean Air Act and Section 313 of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA). EPA did not document any EPCRA compliance related concerns at that time.
What EPA is Doing to Address Ethylene Oxide
Now:
EPA Region 7 and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources have been working with Midwest Sterilization since November 2018 to verify compliance with all applicable requirements and to characterize emissions and model risk from those emissions.
Midwest Sterilization voluntarily installed, commissioned and tested additional controls (not required by Clean Air Act regulations) for the sterilization chamber vents (back vents) in October 2019. The additional controls consist of an acid scrubber and associated ancillary equipment. The voluntary installation of controls resulted in ethylene oxide emission reductions from back-vents by more than 99 percent.
In December of 2019, EPA Region 7 staff traveled to Jackson, Mo., to share technical information local with public officials, engage community residents and share educational information on Ethylene Oxide and actions taken by the facility. EPA Region 7 led the outreach and engagement, which took place with the facility, elected officials, state regulators (Missouri DNR and Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services), community leaders and the public.
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.