Report to Mayor and City Council
Tuesday, September 06, 2022
Consent
SUBJECT:
Title
CONSIDER A REQUEST FROM MAYOR DAVIS-HOLMES FOR THE CITY COUNCIL TO RECEIVE AN INFORMATIONAL UPDATE REGARDING THE ONGOING INVESTIGATION BY THE SOUTH COAST AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT DISTRICT INTO EMISSIONS OF ETHYLENE OXIDE FROM A FACILITY IN CARSON AND THE RECENT VOLUNTARY SHUTDOWN OF THE FACILITY ON AUGUST 21, 2022 (CITY COUNCIL)
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I. SUMMARY
This item is being introduced at the request of Mayor Davis-Holmes and transmits an informational update on the voluntary shutdown of Parter Medical Products, Inc. (“Parter”) in the City of Carson on August 21, 2022.
Parter conducts sterilization services for medical device manufacturers using a gas called Ethylene Oxide (“EtO”). On July 29, 2022, the South Coast Air Quality Management District (“AQMD”) issued a Notice of Violation to Parter for Public Nuisance in violation of agency Rule 402 and California Health & Safety Code § 41700. This violation was based on EtO emissions detected through air monitoring efforts outside of the facility.
Parter voluntarily shut down its EtO operations until additional air pollution controls can be implemented including the modifications and upgrades to air pollution control equipment and temporary enclosures. The facility has initiated the permitting process for the upgrades and South Coast AQMD will review and approve those applications as quickly as possible.
Parter has indicated their EtO equipment will remain shut down until additional air pollution controls can be implemented including the modifications and upgrades to air pollution control equipment and temporary enclosures.
The City of Carson Press Release on this topic is included as an Attachment to this report.
II. RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
RECEIVE and FILE this informational update.
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III. ALTERNATIVES
TAKE another action the City Council deems appropriate and that is consistent with applicable laws.
IV. BACKGROUND
The Parter facility is in Carson at 17015 Kingsview Avenue with operations that run 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The nearest residential area is about 700 feet from Parter and the nearest elementary school is about 2,000 feet from Parter.
South Coast AQMD has conducted multiple on-site inspections at the facility and conducted field operations in the surrounding area. On July 29, 2022, a Notice of Violation was issued to Parter for Public Nuisance in violation of agency Rule 402 and California Health & Safety Code § 41700. This violation was based on EtO emissions detected through air monitoring efforts outside of the facility.
South Coast AQMD’s Rule 1402 which implements the Air Toxics "Hot Spots" program requires certain facilities with toxic emissions to prepare health risk assessments to evaluate the potential impact to the public. Parter is being evaluated as a Potentially High-Risk Level Facility. If potential health risk levels exceed thresholds set by South Coast AQMD, the facility is required to conduct public notification activities, and take actions to reduce their risk.
As part of the AB 2588 program, the agency is evaluating the appropriate next steps for the facility, including accelerated requirements to reduce risks above threshold. If the facility is designated as a Potentially High-Risk Level Facility, they would be required to develop an Early Action Reduction Plan within no more than 90 days, and immediately implement the plan once approved. Additional risk reduction actions may also be required once the facility completes a detailed health risk assessment.
V. FISCAL IMPACT
This item is for information only and there is no fiscal impact.
VI. EXHIBITS
Press Release
Prepared by: Michael George, Assistant to the City Manager