SUBJECT
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A resolution of the City Council of the City of Laredo, Texas, supporting the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) standard for Ethylene Oxide; Opposing proposed rollbacks to Ethylene Oxide regulations; endorsing Public Health based regulatory decision making; authorizing submission of public comments; and providing for related matters.
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PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION
None.
BACKGROUND
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is charged with protecting human health and the environment, including regulating hazardous air pollutants such as ethylene oxide (EtO), a known carcinogen associated with increased cancer risk from long-term exposure.
The EPA’s Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) provides scientifically grounded risk values that serve as a critical foundation for evaluating public health impacts and guiding regulatory protections. In April 2023, the EPA proposed amendments to the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for Commercial Sterilization Facilities that would significantly reduce ethylene oxide emissions, strengthen worker protections, and improve community safety. These proposed protections included continuous emissions monitoring, enhanced controls on aeration room vents, and permanent total enclosure requirements, with an estimated reduction of ethylene oxide emissions by approximately 80 percent annually.
The City of Laredo is home to facilities that utilize ethylene oxide in commercial operations, which are subject to federal and state regulatory requirements intended to ensure the protection of public health and the environment.
Publicly available studies and regulatory assessments indicate that ambient ethylene oxide concentrations in certain areas may exceed typical background levels, and that prolonged exposure to elevated concentrations may be associated with increased health risks, including cancer
Children and other vulnerable populations are particularly sensitive to ethylene oxide exposure, with potential for greater long-term health impacts due to prolonged retention of the chemical in the body.
The City of Laredo has proactively implemented air monitoring initiatives and continues to prioritize community-level exposure assessment to better understand and mitigate environmental health risks.
The EPA has proposed reconsideration of the 2024 NESHAP amendments, including potential reductions in requirements for continuous emissions monitoring systems, technology review standards, and enclosure requirements.
Reliance solely on technology-based standards, without continued evaluation of residual risk and real-world exposure, may limit the ability to determine whether emissions controls are sufficiently protective of public health. Regulatory frameworks must maintain a strong connection to measurable public health outcomes, including reductions in ambient air concentrations and associated health risks.
VIVA LAREDO PLAN ALIGNMENT
Alignment Rating: Strong
Supporting goal(s)/policy(ies):
• Goal 7.2: Protect the community from environmental and public health hazards.
• Policy 7.2.1: Monitor and improve air quality to reduce exposure to harmful pollutants.
• Policy 7.2.6: Support environmental health initiatives that address hazardous air pollutants and protect vulnerable populations.
• Goal 7.4: Foster a culture of health through education and public health advocacy.
• Policy 7.4.4: Promote evidence-based decision-making and public awareness on environmental health risks.
• Goal 7.5: Strengthen public health systems and advocacy efforts.
• Policy 7.5.4: Collaborate with federal and state agencies to promote policies that protect community health.
Summary of alignment: This resolution aligns with the Viva Laredo Comprehensive Plan by supporting evidence-based environmental health protections and advocating for regulatory standards that reduce exposure to hazardous air pollutants such as ethylene oxide. By endorsing the EPA’s IRIS risk standards and opposing regulatory rollbacks, the City reinforces its commitment to protecting residents-particularly vulnerable populations-from long-term health risks associated with air pollution. The action supports ongoing air quality monitoring efforts and promotes public health-focused policy decisions that advance community safety, environmental protection, and overall quality of life.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
N/A
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends that Council approve the Resolution.
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Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Year: 2026
Budgeted Y/N?: N/A
Source of Funds: N/A
Account #: N/A
Change Order: Exceeds 25% Y/N: N/A
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
No Financial impact at this time.