News


  • Nov 21, 2018, 13:58 PM

Ethylene Oxide - November 21st Update

The US EPA has put together a website for Lake County ethylene oxide sites with information on both facilities. This page will be updated by the US EPA whenever new information is released. This site can be found here: https://www.epa.gov/il/addressing-ethylene-oxide-emissions-lake-county-illinois

As reported by the US EPA as of November 21st, the following information relates to Vantage Specialty Chemical (3938 Porett Drive, Gurnee, IL 60031): 

Vantage Specialties

  • Vantage Specialties’ ethylene oxide emissions were not included in the latest NATA due to the error in the National Emissions Inventory.  
  • US EPA has been reviewing updated emissions information from the company. This information includes revised emissions estimates reported to the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) and the methodology for calculating those, along with information from a 2017 stack test the company conducted with Illinois EPA approval.
  • Vantage has reported that it is working with contractors to voluntarily add a secondary control to its existing scrubber. Estimated installation of the additional control equipment is the first quarter of 2019.  Vantage has indicated that it will conduct monitoring at the facility’s fenceline after the additional control equipment is installed.
The US EPA can be contacted directly for any questions regarding ethylene oxide via email at eto@epa.gov.