Franklin, New Jersey (Cosmed Group Inc. (dba Cosmed of NJ)
Cosmed Group Inc. (dba Cosmed of NJ) is located at 19 Park Drive in Hardyston Township near the communities of Franklin Township and Hamburg Borough. The facility has been operating since 1997 and 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 Cosmed Group Inc. (doing business as Cosmed of NJ) 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 Franklin community. EPA is committed to working with state and local agencies, facilities, and communities to reduce this risk.
August 2022 update: EPA has received additional information from the facility about updates made to its sterilization room and warehouse to reduce EtO emissions. As a result of changes made by the facility, the risk level for the facility has decreased.
Cosmed Group Inc. (dba Cosmed of NJ)
This map shows EPA’s estimates of lifetime cancer risks from EtO near Cosmed Group Inc. doing business as Cosmed of NJ in Franklin, NJ. 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.
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.
What EPA is Doing to Address Ethylene Oxide
In March 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) strengthened Clean Air Act (CAA) standards for ethylene oxide (EtO) emissions from commercial sterilization facilities. To protect the public and the environment, EPA creates and enforces the rules according to a variety of environmental laws and regulations. The Federal Clean Air Act (CAA) regulates toxic substances in the air and EtO is classified as a toxic substance in the air.
EPA is working with the State of New Jersey to reduce emissions at Cosmed Group Inc. EPA has provided technical support to our air agency partners at the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection as part of this work.
- Learn more about regulation for EtO Sterilization Facilities.
- For more information about actions you can take.
- Learn more about EPA’s updated EtO standards.
Community Updates
In March 2024, EPA strengthened Clean Air Act (CAA) standards for EtO emissions from commercial sterilizers. Community updates about the Franklin facility and the updated standards are below.
- June 2024 Community Update for Franklin, NJ
- Overview of Final Air Toxics Rule for EtO Sterilization Facilities
EPA and Hardyston Township hosted a community meeting on September 20, 2022 for the Hardyston, Franklin, and Hamburg communities to learn more about EtO and risks from commercial sterilizers.
September 2022 Meeting Recording
September 2022 Community Meeting Presentation Slides (pdf)
Community Flyer for Information Session (pdf)