Ethylene Oxide Update #46

In this update includes:

• Quarter 2 stack monitoring and fugitive emissions results received by IEPA; Vantage within permitted emission cap

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) has updated its website to include the Q2 data related to Vantage’s permit. Public Act 101-0023 and Vantage’s Construction Permit limit the facility to 110 pounds of emissions annually of which no more than 60 pounds can be fugitive emissions.  The results indicate Vantage has released 11.48 pounds (10.44% of permitted annual total) of EtO cumulatively year-to-date, of which 5.71 pounds (5.79% of permitted annual total) were fugitive emissions.

On the initial monitoring day in the month of June, Montrose Air Quality Services detected a leak on Component 0229.1, which is a flange.  The flange was tightened and the follow-up monitoring the same day identified that the leak was resolved.  Montrose Air Quality Services monitors 712 components at the facility.

The report also indicated that during a look back, there was one event in March 2021 where calibration of the continuous emissions monitoring system was required.  During the calibration event emissions were estimated at 0.00574 lbs.  As this was a planned calibration event and not a malfunction or breakdown, Vantage did not submit a 5-day deviation report and rather reported the event during its Q2 2021 Report.

The second quarter report is now available on the IEPA website here: https://www2.illinois.gov/epa/topics/community-relations/sites/ethylene-oxide/Documents/Vantage%20Const%20Permit%20Q2%202021%20Report.pdf

To keep up to date on Ethylene Oxide in Gurnee, visit www.gurnee.il.us/eto