Attorney General Jay Jones announced on May 20 that he has joined a coalition of attorneys general opposing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s proposal to repeal national emission standards for ethylene oxide used by commercial sterilization facilities.
The EPA classifies ethylene oxide as a known human carcinogen and one of the most toxic pollutants regulated under the Clean Air Act. The coalition argues that rolling back these standards could harm public health, particularly in vulnerable communities.
“The Commonwealth takes pride in being home to a diverse landscape and Virginians are united in our urgency to protect our air, land, and sea. This proposal puts the health of the people and our air in harm’s way,” said Attorney General Jay Jones. “Virginians will not turn a blind eye as the Trump administration continues to ignore science and endanger the health of our communities. We urge the Trump administration and the EPA to keep this critical standard in place.”
In 2024, updated regulations required complete capture of ethylene oxide at sterilizer facilities, major reductions in pollution, and continuous emissions monitoring based on new scientific evidence about its dangers. The current federal administration is now proposing to revert these rules back to previous standards.
Jones and other attorneys general say that this move disregards decades of scientific progress about health risks from ethylene oxide exposure. Studies by researchers at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health found higher rates of breast cancer and lymphomas among workers exposed at sterilizer facilities, with further research linking high exposure levels with increased breast cancer mortality rates among female workers.
Short-term exposure can lead to neurological impacts such as memory loss or dizziness as well as respiratory issues; children are especially vulnerable due to risks like DNA mutations. EPA analysis also shows that commercial sterilizers emitting ethylene oxide disproportionately affect communities of color, low-income populations, and indigenous peoples.
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul led this coalition effort along with attorneys general from Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon and Vermont joining Jones in submitting their letter opposing changes.
The Attorney General of Virginia supports civil rights enforcement; provides legal counsel for state agencies; promotes public safety; defends constitutional rights; serves all Virginians across the Commonwealth; addresses issues including human trafficking and domestic violence through legal advocacy; offers consumer protection resources for identity theft or fraud reporting—all according to information available on the official website.
