Columbus, Nebraska (Becton Dickinson Pharmaceutical Systems)
Becton Dickinson Pharmaceutical Systems is located at 920 E. 19th Street, Columbus, NE. The facility uses ethylene oxide (EtO) to sterilize medical equipment and materials.
EPA scientists and analysts recently completed a risk assessment to understand the impact of EtO emissions from the Becton Dickinson Pharmaceutical Systems facility. As part of this risk assessment, we used the most recent available information about how much EtO the company emits into the air and we modeled estimated cancer risks to people living nearby. The risk assessment identified elevated cancer risk in the Columbus community. EPA is committed to working with state and local agencies, facilities, and communities to reduce this risk.
Becton Dickinson Pharmaceutical Systems
This map shows EPA’s estimates of lifetime cancer risks from EtO near Becton Dickinson Pharmaceutical Systems in Columbus, NE. As you can see from the map risk decreases with distance from the facility.
The area in blue shows estimated lifetime cancer risks of 100 in a million or greater from breathing air containing EtO emitted from the facility (or the same as 1 additional cancer case in 10,000 people). A lifetime cancer risk of 100 in a million means that, if 1 million people were exposed to this level of EtO in the air 24 hours a day for 70 years, 100 people would be expected to develop cancer from that exposure.
The area in dark blue on the map shows that EtO exposure could contribute to a maximum increased risk level of 4 cancer cases if 10,000 people were exposed for 70 years (or 400 in 1 million). EPA cannot predict whether an individual person will develop cancer.
View a larger version of the map and legend in a new browser tab.
For this risk assessment, we looked at excess cancer risk attributable to a single chemical, EtO. This estimated risk is in addition to the risk of developing cancer from other causes. This is a worst-case scenario that assumes a person stays in the highest risk area 24 hours a day continuously for 70 years. EPA takes this approach because we want to be protective of the most exposed and most vulnerable individuals from risk associated with EtO emissions from this facility.
Community Details
Becton Dickinson Pharmaceutical Systems (BD) operates an ethylene oxide sterilizing facility in Columbus, Neb. It has been in operation and located at its present location since 1977 and has used ethylene oxide for sterilization since 2005.
Regulatory requirements and information (e.g., permits, etc.) for the BD facility are available on the Nebraska Department of Environment & Energy website. Follow the link and instructions below for site access and documentation retrieval.
- Access the Nebraska Enterprise Content Management Portal:
- Under “DEQ Facility Number” type: 73007
- Under “DEQ Program” type: AIR
- Click “Search”
A list of all BD documents related to air that are publicly available will appear on a list and you can click on the document to open it.
What EPA is Doing to Address Ethylene Oxide
Now: EPA is working with the State of Nebraska to reduce emissions at Becton Dickinson Pharmaceutical Systems in Columbus, NE. EPA has provided support to our air agency partners as part of this work. The Agency is reviewing controls on regulated equipment and processes that emit EtO to determine whether additional air pollution controls are needed. This review includes examining new developments in practices, processes and control technologies, considering cost and feasibility, as well as addressing any previously unregulated emission sources at each sterilization facility.
On April 11, 2022, the State of Nebraska issued a “no construction permit required” decision for expected facility changes by BD Pharmaceutical Systems. In alignment with the FDA Innovation Challenge, BD Pharmaceutical Systems is currently installing a new control system to reduce fugitive emissions of ethylene oxide from the facility and is also implementing approaches to reduce total ethylene oxide consumption. The company has informed EPA that they expect the fugitive emissions control system to be completed in 2023.
Soon: Later this year (2022), EPA will propose strengthening current regulations for Ethylene Oxide Commercial Sterilizers. EPA will consider risk as part of the proposed regulations.
- Learn more about regulation for EtO Sterilization Facilities.
- For more information about actions you can take.