The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) is hosting an informational session next month to update communities on its actions to address Ethylene Oxide (EtO) air emissions in the western areas of Kanawha County. EtO issues are closely watched nationally as EPA undergoes its rule review.
Staff from the WVDEP’s Division of Air Quality and the state Department of Health and Human Resources’ Bureau for Public Health will open the session with a brief presentation, with the remaining time dedicated to meeting with citizens and answering questions.
Collectively, the results of the four rounds of air sampling, along with emissions and weather data from the days sampled, will be reviewed by both the WVDEP and U.S. EPA and compiled into a final report. This report will be made available to the public as soon as it is completed and will guide future actions taken by the agencies.
“We’re working with our partners at EPA to analyze this information holistically, which can take time,” says WVDEP Cabinet Secretary Harold Ward. “We felt this was a good opportunity to keep the public updated on where we are in this process and maintain open lines of communication.”
West Virginia’s information session is planned for August 18 at 6-8 p.m. Eastern. More details on EtO and the steps the agency has taken to address the issue are available here.
