California announces two air contaminants pose higher cancer risks than benzene
Los Angeles Times • • health
Key Points:
- California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) announced that acrolein and ethylene oxide pose cancer risks more than 10 times higher than benzene, marking them as significantly stronger carcinogens than previously understood.
- The findings come amid federal rollbacks on air-quality regulations, including the EPA’s recent loosening of ethylene oxide standards, which experts warn could increase public health risks.
- Acrolein is produced from burning materials like tobacco, plastics, and vehicle emissions, while ethylene oxide is widely used in sterilizing medical equipment; both chemicals now show estimated cancer risks exceeding 800 in 1 million.
- Governor Gavin Newsom’s budget includes $2.5 million to support research and policy development aimed at reducing exposure to these contaminants, reflecting California’s commitment to stronger environmental protections despite federal deregulation.
- The draft assessments will undergo a 45-day public comment period followed by further review before final adoption, emphasizing the state's ongoing efforts to address air pollution and protect public health.