Addressing Ethylene Oxide Emissions in Lake County, Illinois

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EPA’s mission is to protect public health and the environment. That mission has guided the agency’s efforts to persistently work to protect public health from exposure to ethylene oxide a chemical used to sterilize medical equipment and for other purposes. Since 2018, EPA has worked with Illinois EPA to significantly reduce emissions of ethylene oxide in Lake County, Ill.

Medline Industries (Waukegan)

Medline operates a commercial sterilization facility at 1160 Northpoint Road in Waukegan, Ill. It uses EtO to sterilize medical equipment. In 2019, IEPA issued the facility a permit which required the installation of additional controls, a permanent total enclosure to eliminate fugitive emissions, and a continuous emissions monitoring system. The permit limits total facility EtO emissions to 150 pounds annually. In 2023, Medline emitted 38.79 pounds of EtO, considerably less than its permit limit. To view Medline’s permit and quarterly reports, visit: Illinois EPA information on Ethylene Oxide

Vantage Specialties Chemicals (Gurnee)

Vantage operates a chemical production facility at 3938 Porett Drive in Gurnee, Ill. It uses EtO in the production of ingredients for personal care, food and consumer products, as well as industrial uses. In 2019, IEPA issued the facility a permit which required the installation of additional controls, an enhanced leak detection and repair program, and a continuous emissions monitoring system. The permit limits total facility EtO emissions to 110 pounds annually, of which no more than 60 pounds can be from fugitive sources. In 2023, Vantage emitted 20.21 pounds of EtO, considerably less than its permit limit. To view Vantage’s permit and quarterly reports, visit: Illinois EPA information on Ethylene Oxide

Lake County Health Department Monitoring 

The Lake County Health Department conducted EtO monitoring near Medline and Vantage in 2019 and 2020. To view monitoring results visit: EtO Monitoring Results

EPA Letter to Lake County Board

In 2021, EPA wrote a letter to the Lake County Board to summarize the actions taken at Medline and Vantage to reduce EtO emissions. EPA found, in part, that EtO emissions at Medline and Vantage have decreased significantly and both facilities have been emitting less EtO than allowed under their respective permits. 

EPA Letter to Lake County, Illinois Board Reviewing Evidence on EtO Risk Level (pdf) (272.24 KB, September 29, 2021)

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry Health Consultation

On June 21, 2024, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry issued a draft health consultation for public comment related to EtO emissions from the Medline and Vantage facilities. EPA is committed to working closely with the Lake County community, ATSDR, and the State of Illinois to review the draft report, understand the draft findings, and ensure that public health in the community is protected. ATSDR Health Consultation (pdf)(7.9MB)

In 2019, the Lake County Health Department requested ATSDR to do a health consultation for Lake County. Petition for ATSDR Health Assessment (pdf)(1 pg, 97 K, About PDF) - March 26, 2019

Documents and Public Outreach Materials

• Webinars of potential interest to the community
• Correspondence related to Ethylene Oxide in Lake County, Ill.