As EPA Seeks EtO Input, Industry Says Suits Destroy Regulatory Certainty

As EPA conducts an extensive outreach effort to solicit community input on the dangers of the carcinogenic solvent ethylene oxide (EtO), pending tougher regulations for several industry sectors, industry groups are warning pending state tort suits seeking to cut EtO emissions using public nuisance law will lead to a fractured regulatory landscape. EPA, however, is maintaining that state tort claims are distinct from any potential federal regulation and suggesting that pending litigation across the country would have little bearing on...