EPA Proposes Stricter Ethylene Oxide Limits + Johnson and Johnson Offers $8.9 Billion Settlement – Xtalks Life Science Podcast Ep. 106

In this episode, Ayesha talked about new rules that the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA is proposing for curbing ethylene oxide emissions from sterilization facilities. The agency says the new guidelines would help reduce emissions by 80 percent, which is particularly important for communities that live near sterilization plants and workers who work at them. Ethylene oxide is a known carcinogen, with long-term exposure to the odorless, colorless gas being associated with cancers including breast cancer and myeloma among others. The gas is used to sterilize medical equipment as well as spices. Hear about the new proposed rules and industry reactions to them.

Ayesha and the team also discussed Johnson & Johnson’s latest offer of $8.9 billion to settle the mountain of talc lawsuits it continues to face. The claimants maintain that the company’s talc-based baby powder had high amounts of asbestos contamination, which the company has known about since the 1970s. One plaintiff group has said Johnson & Johnson’s latest offer is not enough and criticized the company’s strategic bankruptcy plans. A US Court of Appeals rejected the plan earlier this month but Johnson & Johnson said it will take its case to Supreme Court. Hear more about the company’s latest settlement offer in this episode.