Ethylene oxide: release guidelines overview

The guidelines for the reduction of ethylene oxide releases from sterilization applications have been in effect since October 1, 2005.

Objective

The release guidelines recommend control efficiency standards and best practices to limit releases of ethylene oxide to the environment from sterilization applications.

Target audience

The release guidelines apply to facilities that purchase or use 10 kg or more of ethylene oxide per year for sterilization applications.

Adopting the release guidelines

If the release guidelines apply to your facility, you are encouraged to:

• operate a sterilizer or aerator following the criteria outlined in the release guidelines
• monitor and test emission control systems to determine you meet the control efficiency standards provided in the release guidelines
• submit annual reports containing the results containing information about the quantity of ethylene oxide purchased or used and sterilization cycles

Read the release guidelines

Guidelines for the reduction of ethylene oxide releases from sterilization applications

Reporting

If the release guidelines apply to your facility and you are not subject to the reporting requirements of the National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) you are encouraged to submit annual reports by June 30 of every year.

You should send your annual reports by email to Produits-Products@ec.gc.ca.

Performance results to date

Performance measurements were not conducted for the release guidelines.

Related information

• Priority Substances List Assessment Report
• Guidance document: Determination of the ethylene oxide control efficiency from catalytic oxidizers
• Reference method for source testing

Contact us

Chemical Production and Products Division
Environment and Climate Change Canada
351 St-Joseph Boulevard
Gatineau QC  K1A 0H3

Email: Produits-Products@ec.gc.ca
Phone: 1-888-391-3426