The ITRC Ethylene Oxide (EtO) Emissions Guidance (2023) was developed to support the evolution of EtO understanding in recent years. The goal of this training course is to inform and educate stakeholders on EtO and communication strategies. Information presented in this training course includes:

• Characteristics of EtO
• Explanation of health hazards
• Best practices for sampling and analyzing EtO concentrations
• Best practices for community outreach and engaging with stakeholders

EtO is a flammable, colorless, and reactive gas that is listed as a hazardous air pollutant (HAP) under the Clean Air Act (CAA). The target audience for this training course includes state regulators and environmental consultants, as well as community and tribal stakeholders. A hypothetical case study illustrating the creation and implementation of an EtO sampling and monitoring plan, along with communication strategies will also be presented in this training course.

Ethylene oxide is used in the manufacturing process to make products (e.g., antifreeze, plastics, adhesives), to sterilize products (e.g., single-use medical devices, wound care dressings), to fumigate and eradicate pests from some foods (e.g., spices), and can be a by-product of anthropogenic activities. Inhalation is the primary route of human exposure to EtO. The World Health Organization (WHO), the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and other health agencies categorize EtO as a human carcinogen.

Prior to attending the training class, participants are encouraged to view the ITRC EtO Emissions Guidance.

April Lazzaro, Michigan EGLE (lazzaroa1@michigan.gov)

April Lazzaro is a Senior Environmental Quality Analyst with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, Air Quality Division. Throughout her 25 years conducting compliance inspections for the Air Quality Division, April has learned how developing good working relationships with the regulated community helps to promote open and honest communication. April is a Co-Team Leader for the Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council’s Ethylene Oxide Team. She is a seasoned presenter, who routinely is called upon to conduct training both internally and externally. April is also a Certified Industrial Storm Water Operator and a Hockey Mom.

April holds a BA with a double major in Biology and Environmental Science from Olivet College.

Keisha Long, South Carolina DHEC (longkd@dhec.sc.gov)

Keisha Long is the Environmental Justice Coordinator for the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC). She is an advocate for vulnerable communities and is responsible for helping environmental justice communities build capacity, identify resources, and establish collaborative partnerships. 

Keisha has been with DHEC for over 25 years. Previously, Keisha worked as a DHEC Project Manager in the Superfund program and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act program (RCRA). Keisha is a co-Team Leader for the EtO Emissions Team and is a former co-Chair on the advisory board of the ITRC (Interstate Technology Regulatory Council). Keisha holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Clemson University and is an active Toastmaster.

Eric Rowland, Delaware DNREC (eric.rowland@delaware.gov)

Eric Rowland is an Engineer with DNREC’s Division of Air Quality, Engineering & Compliance Section in Dover, DE. His responsibilities include permit writing, compliance inspections, and enforcement for assigned facilities throughout the State of Delaware. He has 18+ years of experience in Environmental Compliance activities in state and industrial (aerospace, bio-tech, personal care) settings. Eric is a first time contributor on the Ethylene Oxide (EtO) team for the Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council (ITRC). He has a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Delaware (1994).

DeAnna Oser, Georgia DNR (deanna.oser@dnr.ga.gov)

DeAnna Oser is the Assistant Branch Chief of the Georgia Environmental Protection Division’s Air Protection Branch. She graduated from Clemson University in 1997 with a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering and started her career with the Air Branch. She spent 17 years working with industrial sources auditing stack tests and prescribing periodic monitoring for permits. Prior to becoming Assistant Branch Chief, she served as the Ambient Air Monitoring Manager for nine years and oversaw Georgia’s Ethylene Oxide Monitoring Study. DeAnna served as co-chair of the Ambient Monitoring Committee for the Association of Air Pollution Control Agencies from 2016 to 2023. She has also served on ITRC’s Ethylene Oxide team as a section co-lead for the Sampling and Monitoring of EtO as well as the Introduction and Properties of EtO.

Jaime Gore, Georgia DNR (jaime.gore@dnr.ga.gov) 

Jaime Gore is the Program Manager for the Ambient Monitoring Program for the Georgia Environmental Protection Division with over 15 years of experience in environmental protection. She graduated from the University of West Georgia with a B.S. in Geology. Jaime has worked for the Georgia Environmental Protection Division since 2008, with a focus in air toxics monitoring since 2013. Jaime has served as a writing group co-lead for the ITRC Ethylene Oxide Introduction and the Sampling and Analysis Teams.

Lila Beckley, GSI Environmental Inc. (lmbeckley@gsi-net.com)

Lila Beckley is a Senior Associate at GSI Environmental Inc. in Austin, Texas, with more than 25 years of experience in the environmental field. Since joining GSI in 2007, she has been involved with numerous environmental assessments, litigation, and compliance support, and applied research projects. On the ITRC Ethylene Oxide team, she helped develop the sampling and analysis materials. Prior to joining GSI, Lila worked in remediation programs at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, in various roles ranging from project to program management.