EPA provides $328,459 for ethylene oxide air quality monitoring and risk assessment in Utah

SALT LAKE CITY (September 28, 2020) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has selected the Utah Division of Air Quality (UDAQ) as a recipient of a $328,459 Community-Scale Air Toxics Ambient Monitoring grant to conduct outdoor air quality monitoring and a health risk assessment of ethylene oxide emissions from major commercial sterilizers in Utah. 

UDAQ is among 11 projects receiving  a total of $5 million in funding under the Agency’s Community-Scale Air Toxics Ambient Monitoring grant program. These grants will help monitor and provide important information to communities on air toxics, including ethylene oxide, chloroprene, benzene, 1,3-butadiene, and toxic metals.

“The Trump administration has prioritized community partnerships to cut harmful air pollution, and today’s announcement helps states, local, and tribal air agencies do just that,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “Collecting this information will help our local partners better understand the nature of air hazards and how best to take action against them. These grants are also a part of EPA’s promise to protect human health and the environment of  all Americans, no matter their zip code.”

“EPA continues to support Utah as they develop data and programs that secure clean air in communities across the state,” said EPA Regional Administrator Greg Sopkin. “This project will significantly enhance our efforts to assess and evaluate ethylene oxide emissions from commercial sterilizers.”

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