On this page:

• Rule Summary
• Rule History
• Additional Resources
• Compliance

Rule Summary

This final rule applies to any existing or new hospital ethylene oxide sterilization facility that is an area source of hazardous air pollutants (HAP). The owner or operator of an existing area source must comply with this area source National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) by December 29, 2008. The owner or operator of a new area source must comply with this area source NESHAP by December 28, 2007 or upon initial startup, whichever is later.

Rule History

12/28/2007 – Final Rule

11/06/2006 – Proposed Rule

Additional Resources

Fact Sheets: Proposed and Final Air Toxics Standards for Hospital Sterilizers

View the supporting documents in the docket folder to find additional related documents to this rule.

Related Rules:

Alternative Control Technology Document: Ethylene Oxide Sterilization/Fumigation Operations

Ethylene Oxide Emissions Standards for Sterilization Facilities: National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP)

Compliance

Summary of Regulations Controlling Air Emissions from the Hospital Sterilizers using Ethylene Oxide National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) Subpart WWWWW Final Rule

Example Initial Notification of Compliance Status: National Emission Standards for Hospital Ethylene Oxide Sterilization (40 CFR 63, subpart WWWWW)(2 pp, 79 K, August 2008)

Applicability Determination Index (ADI).  The ADI is maintained by EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA) and provides a data base of memoranda dealing with applicability issues.  The database is searchable by Subpart.