Montrose Environmental, Thermo Fisher Partner on EtO Solution

Montrose Environmental Group Inc. and Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. are collaborating to develop a comprehensive real-time ethylene oxide (EtO) monitoring solution that meets recently released U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations.
 
Ethylene oxide is a carcinogenic and mutagenic compound commonly used in the chemical industry, particularly as a sterilant for medical products and as a reaction intermediate in the production of ethylene glycol. Due to its toxicity, federal, state and local regulators require monitoring for very low levels of EtO in and around commercial sterilizers and chemical plants. The EPA has recently issued three focused proposals addressing the reduction of EtO emissions from chemical plants and commercial sterilizers, thereby reducing risk to workers, the broader community, and the environment.

“This collaboration between Montrose and Thermo Fisher creates a turnkey solution, meeting the needs of industry to monitor ethylene oxide,” Montrose Senior Vice President of Environmental Data Solutions Steve Davis said. “Our combined solution offers best-in-class technology and field expertise to meet the increasing standards and regulations issued by the EPA.”
 
Working together, Montrose and Thermo Fisher will offer medical device manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, chemical companies, and commercial sterilization service providers, a comprehensive solution to achieve compliance with the EPA’s new ethylene oxide regulations. Together, the companies combine Montrose’s expert field services and data platform (SensibleEDP) with the proven ambient air monitoring (MAX-iQ) and emissions monitoring (EMS-10) systems of Thermo Fisher.
 
The MAX-iQ and EMS-10 systems, combined with the system design, installation, operations, software, geographic footprint, and maintenance expertise of Montrose, allow for monitoring low-level EtO emissions at a detection limit of 1 ppb, which exceeds the current EPA EtO standards.
 
“We’ve been working with Montrose and Thermo Fisher since 2019, utilizing their combined EtO monitoring solution. It has allowed us to comply with the state of Illinois’ regulations and positions us to meet the new proposed EPA requirements in a cost-efficient manner,” said Jasper Titus, Vice President of Quality Operations & EHS at Medline Industries.
 
Thomas Doerdelmann, vice president and general manager for Environmental Process Monitoring at Thermo Fisher, added, “We are very excited to collaborate with Montrose to offer a complete, trusted gas analysis solution for navigating complex governmental regulations. Exposure to toxic vapors from ethylene oxide emissions poses a serious health risk to workers and neighboring communities. Now our customers have a solution to monitor trace gases like EtO.”
 
Montrose is an environmental solutions company focused on supporting commercial and government organizations. With nearly 3000 employees across more than 80 global locations, Montrose combines deep local knowledge with an integrated approach to design, engineering, and operations, enabling the company to respond effectively and efficiently to the requirements of each project. From comprehensive air measurement and laboratory services to regulatory compliance, emergency response, permitting, engineering, and remediation, Montrose delivers innovative and practical solutions. 

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. has an annual revenue of approximately $40 billion. Its global team delivers a combination of technologies, purchasing convenience, and pharmaceutical services through brands including Thermo Scientific, Applied Biosystems, Invitrogen, Fisher Scientific, Unity Lab Services, Patheon and PPD.