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MEDIA ADVISORY: July 25, 2023
MEMORANDUM
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TO:
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Members of the Media
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FROM:
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Alexandra Kuchta, Communications Director, Florida Department of Environmental Protection
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DATE:
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July 25, 2023
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RE:
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American Contract Systems Facility in Temple Terrace Completes Installation of New Emission Controls
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Good afternoon:
Yesterday, the American Contract Systems facility in Temple Terrace (ACS – Temple Terrace) completed the installation of three dry bed scrubbers to reduce air pollution associated with the facility’s medical equipment sterilization activities. These controls are 99.9% effective in reducing ethylene oxide (EtO) levels in the air that is vented from the facility, and these new controls are anticipated to reduce EtO emissions from the facility from approximately 5 pounds per day to less than 0.05 pounds per day.
As part of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) regulatory oversight, the agency conducted an inspection of the ACS – Temple Terrace facility this afternoon, and DEP is overseeing the preliminary testing of the scrubbers to ensure their effectiveness. In the coming weeks, the facility will perform a full stack test using a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved method, which DEP will also oversee.
These new controls reduce the risk well below the threshold that EPA used in modeling risks associated with the ACS – Temple Terrace facility. DEP anticipates that EPA will remodel the risks associated with this facility now that the new controls are operational.
Today’s inspection report is available online.
Learn more about this facility here.
Statement from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection:
Over the past few years, DEP has assisted EPA in collecting emissions data for Florida’s six commercial sterilization facilities, including ACS – Temple Terrace, as EPA conducted a nationwide analysis of EtO emissions. As part of this information collecting process, DEP also conducted inspections at the facility to better understand facility operations and emission controls. These were in addition to DEP’s routine compliance inspections.
DEP is aware that EPA intends to move forward with rulemaking to strengthen emission standards for EtO and that it will impact facilities throughout the U.S., including ACS – Temple Terrace.
In advance of this rulemaking effort, ACS – Temple Terrace voluntarily installed new emissions controls for EtO at the facility that reduce the risk well below the threshold used in EPA’s modeling. With these new controls installed and operational, DEP anticipates that EPA will remodel this facility to confirm the reduced risk to the community.
ACS – Temple Terrace and the five other Florida facilities have met and continue to meet all current federal air emissions standards and are in compliance with all conditions of their respective air operation permits.
DEP is committed to protecting Florida’s air quality and looks forward to participating in the upcoming rulemaking effort.
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About the Florida Department of Environmental Protection
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is the state’s principal environmental agency, created to protect, conserve and manage Florida’s environment and natural resources. The department enforces federal and state environmental laws, protects Florida’s air and water quality, cleans up pollution, regulates solid waste management, promotes pollution prevention and acquires environmentally sensitive lands for preservation. The agency also maintains a statewide system of parks, trails and aquatic preserves. Visit the department’s website at FloridaDEP.gov.
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/FLDEP/bulletins/367315d
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