Ethylene Oxide Update #33: March 6, 2020

In this update includes:

• Fifth and final set of results from the 2^nd phase of ambient air monitoring received
• Results included nine days of testing between December 28^th – January 22^nd.
• Sampling extended an additional 30 days – start date contingent on Medline Industries complying with Public Act 101-0022.

The Lake County Health Department has received the fifth and final set of results from the second phase of ethylene oxide (EtO) air monitoring. The fifth set of samples were collected on nine separate days from December 28^th, 2019 to January 22^nd, 2020. This phase of the air monitoring is now completed and was funded by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA). 

It should be noted that Medline Industries halted ethylene oxide operations on December 13^th, 2019 as it was not able to comply with the standards of Public Act 101-0022. All samples collected on or after December 13^th/14^th 2019 are representative of current air conditions without Medline operating.

The IEPA continues to monitor the improvements made by Medline Industries as it works towards compliance with Public Act 101-0022. Once compliance is achieved Medline will resume operations and 30 days of IEPA-funded sampling will begin. 

Results from Phase I, Phase II and Phase III, as well as independent sampling conducted by Medline Industries and Vantage Specialty will be submitted to the Agency for Toxic Substances Disease Registry (ATSDR) and Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) for a health risk assessment. The current estimate is that this assessment will be completed four to six months following the completion of Phase III testing.

The results of the testing can be viewed at: https://www.lakecountyil.gov/4188/EtO-Monitoring-Results

The spreadsheet of all results is available at: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1mrY1MbFWUT5-ysl7SpD74CKMKOMo4x9i5wZAArdYJ2k/edit?usp=sharing

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