BD & Ethylene Oxide (EtO)

Why EtO?

From urinary catheters, PICC lines, oncology ports, breast biopsy needles, vascular and ureteral stents, feeding tubes and more, EtO is the ONLY option of sterilization for a large number of the medical devices manufactured and sterilized by BD due to material sensitivities and/or complexity of design.

Setting the Record Straight: The Facts

Environmental Protection Agency Study

In November 2019, the EPA released results of a comprehensive nationwide analysis of EtO levels across the country and found the average amount of EtO present in the air nationwide (also known as background levels) was between 0.2 and 0.4 micrograms of EtO per cubic meter of air1.

EtO levels measured in Covington by the Georgia EPD and BD are consistent with the average background levels
the EPA found nationwide in urban and rural areas that are not near sterilization facilities.

This means that people who work in, live near or drive by BD facilities in these communities every day are exposed to the same low levels of EtO found in every community sampled by the U.S. EPA.

1See Nov. 6, 2019 EPA update and data summary.

Average Background Levels of EtO Across the United States

Green: Average air sampling results from a combination of data from the Georgia EPD and a third-party environmental consulting firm on behalf of BD. (October 2019 to December 2020)

Average levels of EtO in Covington’s ambient air were 0.317 µg/m3, according to the combined results of data collected by the Georgia EPD and a third-party environmental consulting firm engaged by BD from October 2019 to December 2020.

Usage in Perspective

0 %
of all EtO used by industry is to
make everyday products including
cosmetics, shampoos, laundry
detergents, clothing, and carpets. It's
even used to sterilize food.
0 %
is used to sterilize medical devices.
BD is just a very small
fraction of that.

The vast majority of ethylene oxide in our air comes from organic and industrial sources other than medical device sterilization facilities.

EtO is a byproduct of combustion, meaning it is produced by campfires, grills, cigars and cigarettes, auto exhaust, lawn mowers and many other sources. EtO is found in rural areas where there are swamps and decaying debris.

Even our own bodies produce EtO.

BD Technology: Investments and Upgrades

BD has been employing technology that is superior to many other medical sterilization facilities for more than 20 years.

  • In 1997, BD installed regenerative thermal oxidizers in Covington, the best available technology, to achieve greater than 99.99% EtO destruction
  • BD has been capturing back vent exhaust for more than 20 years, as well, even though the EPA rescinded this requirement
  • In August 2019, the company voluntarily committed to a $30 million investment to fund several upgrades and process changes to further reduce emissions
  • 04-30-20 Fugitive Emission Controls in Covington operational (Completed 03-31-20)
  • 06-30-20 Fugitive Emission Controls in Madison operational
  • 12-31-20 Fugitive Emission Controls at the GDC operational
  • Optimized cycle development underway (reduces EtO use per cycle)

BD Controls Emissions to Keep Communities Safe

  • BD is and has been in compliance with all laws and regulations relative to EtO emissions as validated by the EPA and GA EPD
  • BD’s sterilization facilities historically emit 90% less EtO than the permit allows
  • BD achieves > 99.99% destruction of EtO; significantly better than the 99% the Clean Air Act requires
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