Estimated cancer risk for each chemical exceeds 800 in 1 million.
California regulators warn two air contaminants pose cancer risk 10 times greater than benzene
Sacramento, CA – The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) released a draft finding on Thursday indicating that two toxic air contaminants, acrolein and ethylene oxide, may carry an estimated cancer risk more than 10 times higher than benzene. The estimated cancer risk for each chemical exceeds 800 in 1 million. This marks the first step in a review process before final risk values are adopted.
Background
- Acrolein is formed when materials burn, such as cigarettes, wood, plastics, and gasoline. It can also be released by cooking fats at high temperatures.
- Ethylene oxide is a colorless gas used primarily in medical device sterilization.
- Both chemicals are already present in California’s ambient air.
- The draft assessment provides the first cancer risk value for acrolein since its classification as probably carcinogenic by the International Agency for Research on Cancer in 2020.
- The assessment also updates cancer risk values for ethylene oxide based on new research.
Key Statements
Kris Thayer, OEHHA director, stated that if the early air monitoring results are borne out and the draft cancer values become final, each contaminant poses an unacceptable cancer risk.
Will Barrett, assistant vice president for nationwide clean air policy at the American Lung Association, called the assessment “an important step to better understand the harms of pollutants impacting Californians’ health.”
Courtney Smith, principal deputy executive officer with the California Air Resources Board, said the findings underscore the state’s efforts to strengthen environmental protection measures while federal officials seek to loosen them.
Related Developments
- In May, the Trump administration’s EPA moved to roll back standards on ethylene oxide, citing cost savings for facilities using the chemical for medical sterilization.
- A recent American Lung Association report found that 82% of Californians live in counties with unhealthful air.
- Governor Gavin Newsom’s May budget revision includes $2.5 million in funding for the California Air Resources Board and OEHHA to research reducing exposure to acrolein and ethylene oxide.
Public Comment Period
The announcement opens a 45-day public comment period. Draft assessments may be revised after public comment and peer review before final adoption.