As many of you may have heard, residents of Willowbrook and others in close proximity to Sterigenics International may have been exposed to a cancer causing toxic substance, ethylene oxide, released into the air by Sterigenics International. A recent report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Agency has confirmed that the levels of gas released by Sterigenics could be harmful to public health. In one census tract near the plant the E.P.A. estimates the cancer risk is more than nine times the national average. As a result lawsuits have been filed alleging the company has knowingly emitted the cancer causing chemical ethylene oxide into the air. Please feel free to call me if you or a loved one has lived, worked, or gone to school in the surrounding Willowbrook area and have been diagnosed with Lymphoma, Leukemia, Breast Cancer, Gastrointestinal Cancer, had multiple miscarriages or fertility issues. I’m currently working closely with one of the community outreach law firms.
STERIGENICS FAQs
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What is Ethylene Oxide (EtO)?
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• At Sterigenics, EtO was used for the sterilization of medical equipment.
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• EtO is also used as a chemical in the manufacture of antifreeze.
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What medical issues does the exposure of EtO cause?
There is evidence which is recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency that inhalation exposure to EtO can cause lymphatic cancers, leukemia and breast cancer. There is also evidence that exposure to EtO can cause uterine cancer, lung cancer and brain cancer. The Environmental Protection Agency has concluded that EtO is a carcinogen to humans via the inhalation of route of exposure. Evidence has also shown that EtO can cause an increased rate of miscarriages, and other developmental and reproductive impairments. Evidence has further shown that EtO exposure can cause mutation and chromosomal damage that can lead to potential birth defects. -
How long has it been known that EtO is dangerous?
EtO has been studied and recognized as a potentially dangerous carcinogen for several decades. Lately, much more has been learned about the dangers of EtO. In 1997, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recommended that EtO be considered as a potential carcinogen to humans. Less than a decade later, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services identified EtO as “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.” Less than two decades ago, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services revised its classification for EtO and identified it as “known to be a human carcinogen.” Within the last five years, the Environmental Protection Agency’s Integrated Risk Information System increased the cancer potency of EtO by 30 times. -
How much EtO is in the air?
We know that Sterigenics has been emitting EtO from its Willowbrook facilities consistently since 1984. There are two buildings. There are combined 19 gas chambers which emit thousands of pounds of EtO into the air of Willowbrook and the surrounding suburbs. Sterigenics runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, which means EtO is being emitted into the air continuously. -
Have lawsuits been filed against Sterigenics?
Yes. There are filed lawsuits in Cook County and in DuPage County. The suites are against various Sterigenics entities along with individuals who we believe were responsible for assuring safe emission levels. We are currently investigating the role and responsibility of other individuals and other companies. -
What are your goals with the lawsuit?
First and foremost, our goal is to shut the facility down or stop the emissions of EtO into the air. We are also hoping to force Sterigenics from working in this community and poisoning local residents. Currently, Sterigenics operates facilities in 13 different countries. Finally, we are hoping to obtain compensation for those that have been injured or who have lost loved ones by Sterigenics emissions.