Resources

Answers to important questions, summary of the benefits to Tucson, and a link to the permitting process documents

Benefits to Tucson:
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FAQs

Medical device sterilization is essential to a functioning and effective healthcare system. We sterilize our medical devices to protect patients from the risks of infectious diseases caused by bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Sterilization of medical devices is required by the FDA to ensure patient safety.

E-beam sterilization is considered one of the safest and most sustainable forms of sterilization, because it does not involve the use of hazardous chemicals, it does not use radioactive isotopes, nor does it produce air emissions that the EPA considers to be hazardous air pollutants. E-beam uses electricity to create a beam of electrons, which is used to sterilize packaged medical devices. E-beam is commonly used in the sterilization of drugs and medical devices, and it is also used for contamination control in the food, beverage, and cosmetic industries, the manufacture of packaging materials, welding applications, and the cross- linking of cable and wire.

Yes. This process is used at BD and numerous other medical device companies and third-party sterilizers.
BD has been sterilizing medical devices for more than 50 years.

E-beam sterilization is considered one of the safest and most environmentally friendly forms of sterilization, because it does not involve the use of hazardous chemicals, it does not use radioactive isotopes, nor does it produce air emissions that the EPA considers to be hazardous air pollutants.

BD makes a range of medical devices that will be sterilized at this facility. BD manufactures a wide range of devices that are necessary for a functioning healthcare system.

No. The original design of the facility was intended to use EtO for sterilization, but upon further review, BD decided to change the type of sterilization to electron beam (E-beam) sterilization, which does not emit EtO or any other substance that EPA designates a hazardous air pollutant.
In addition to job creation and an estimated economic contribution of $137 million over 10 years, BD has a track record of being productive members of our communities. For example, our BD Peripheral Intervention business is headquartered up the road in Tempe, and they partner and support numerous local non-profits and received the Tempe Chamber Large Business Excellence award this year along with being named Arizona Bio Business of the Year in 2017 and 2020.
The construction process will be implemented to minimize impact to the area. We do not anticipate any disruption to traffic or negative impact to surrounding areas. Dust control will be managed in compliance with PDEQ and EPA requirements.

Documents

Link to the Pima County Environmental quality page for the BD permitting process documents.

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