Did You Develop Cancer From Exposure to Sterigenics Ethylene Oxide Gas?
Residents living near Sterigenics plants have reported cases of various cancers such as breast cancer, leukemia, and lymphoma, as well as other health issues including neurological disorders, reproductive problems, and respiratory ailments, believed to be linked to ethylene oxide exposure from the medical sterilization facilities.
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ETHYLENE OXIDE EXPOSURE LAWSUIT
Residents living near Sterigenics plants have reported cases of various cancers such as breast cancer, leukemia, and lymphoma, as well as other health issues including neurological disorders, reproductive problems, and respiratory ailments, believed to be linked to ethylene oxide exposure from the medical sterilization facilities.
The medical sterilization company Sterigenics has faced numerous lawsuits and settlements related to the toxic chemical ethylene oxide and its alleged link to cancer and other serious health issues. People living near Sterigenics plants in locations such as Willowbrook, Illinois, and Smyrna, Georgia, have been affected by exposure to the carcinogen ethylene oxide, leading to a wave of lawsuits against Sterigenics and its parent company, Sotera Health. If you lived near a Stergenics sterilization facility and developed cancer allegedly caused by ethylene oxide emissions, call now or fill out the form to be connected to an attorney with experience handling ethylene oxide exposure claims.
What is Ethylene Oxide?
Ethylene oxide (EtO) is a colorless, flammable gas with a sweet odor. It is widely used in various industrial and medical settings, primarily for the sterilization of medical equipment and devices. Ethylene oxide is highly effective in killing bacteria, viruses, and fungi, making it a valuable tool in the medical field for sterilizing equipment that cannot withstand high-temperature steam sterilization.
Ethylene oxide lawsuits claim that exposure to EtO toxic gas emissions causes cancer, blood disorders, and other health issues. Ethylene oxide is considered a human carcinogen, and plaintiffs in the Sterigenics ethylene oxide litigation claim that Sterigenics knew or should have known about the potential for EtO emissions to put nearby communities at risk for cancer, and failed to warn the public.
Alleged Injuries Leading to an Ethylene Oxide Exposure Lawsuit
Exposure to ethylene oxide has been linked to a range of health issues, including cancer, respiratory problems, reproductive disorders, and neurological effects. The EPA says that long-term exposure to EtO gas can cause a range of health issues, including increased cancer risks. People who have lived or worked near Sterigenics plants, where ethylene oxide was used for sterilization, have reported experiencing these health problems. As a result, many individuals have pursued lawsuits against Sterigenics to seek compensation for their injuries.
Link Between Ethylene Oxide Emissions and Cancer
The CDC and EPA have reported a link between ethylene oxide emissions and an increased risk of cancer, particularly among people living near Sterigenics medical sterilization facilities. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies ethylene oxide as a known human carcinogen. The most common type of cancer associated with ethylene oxide exposure is lymphoid cancer, including non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and leukemia. Other types of cancer, such as breast, lung, and stomach cancer, have also been linked to ethylene oxide exposure.
Pursuing Lawsuits for Ethylene Oxide-Related Injuries
Individuals who have been harmed by exposure to toxic ethylene oxide gas have the right to pursue legal action against the responsible parties. By filing a lawsuit, victims can seek compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, and other damages caused by their injuries. It is important to consult with an experienced attorney who specializes in toxic ethylene oxide exposure claims to understand the legal options available and navigate the complex legal process.
Sterigenics Ethylene Oxide Exposure and Settlements
September 2022 – A Cook County jury awards an Illinois woman who lived one-third of a mile from the Sterigenics plant in Willowbrook $363 million in damages for her cancer diagnosis, which she says is a result of exposure to toxic ethylene oxide gas emissions from the facility. This is the first jury verdict related to Sterigenics and ethylene oxide exposure.
January 2023 – Sterigenics and its parent company Sotera Health agree to settle over 870 Cook County, Illinois-based ethylene oxide (EtO) exposure claims for a total of $408 million.
October 2023 – Another 79 lawsuits related to ethylene oxide emissions from the Sterigenics sterilizing plant in Cobb County, Georgia, are settled for an estimated $35 million. Plaintiffs claim that the Smyrna Sterigenics plant’s EtO emissions caused their cancer diagnoses and other serious illnesses.
November 2023 – Six new lawsuits are filed against Sterigenics and other defendants in Cook County, alleging cancer and other serious illnesses resulting from the plant’s negligent EtO emissions.
Ethylene Oxide Side Effect Research
EPA: Cancer Risk Levels Above Acceptable Limits
According to a National Air Toxics Assessment report (released in 2018 but based on data from 2014), seven census tracts in DuPage County, Illinois have cancer risk levels greater than 100 cancers per million people, the level the EPA considers the “upper limit of acceptability.” According to the EPA, the risk of cancer from air pollution in the most polluted tract in the county is 282 per million.
August 2018CDC: Sterigenics Should Take Immediate Action to Reduce EtO Emissions
The CDC’s Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) publishes an “Evaluation of Potential Health Impacts from Ethylene Oxide Emissions” from the plant in Willowbrook. The report advises Sterigenics to “take immediate action to reduce EtO emissions at this facility.”
August 2018EtO Levels 3,600 Time Recommended Level
Monitoring results released by the EPA put the level of EtO in the air around Willowbrook at 3,600 times the recommended safety level set by the EPA’s Integrated Risk Information System.
February 2019Sterigenics Warned About Dangerous EtO Levels in 1984
CBS News publishes an article indicating that the EPA and state authorities knew the Sterigenics facility was emitting dangerous levels of ethylene oxide that could cause pancreas, bladder, brain, and stomach cancer and first warned the company of this risk 40 years ago, yet allowed the plant to continue operations and even expand. The Illinois EPA indicated in a 1984 letter to the company, then known as Griffith Laboratories, that it was releasing EtO at levels 14 times to 445 times the acceptable level for people in a one-mile radius around the plant.
February 2019Cancer Risk in Willowbrook 10 Times Higher Than EPA Standards
After months of study, the EPA concludes that while the Sterigenics plant in Willowbrook was operating, the cancer risk from long-term exposure to EtO was 10 times higher than what the agency deems acceptable.
May 2019Risk Assessment Report for Sterigenics Plant in Willowbrook
The EPA’s Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards Office of Air and Radiation releases a Risk Assessment Report for the Sterigenics Facility in Willowbrook, Illinois. The report indicates that Sterigenics created a cancer risk 10 times higher than federal EPA standards in Willowbrook.
August 2019Residents Near Willlowbrook Face Increased Lifetime Risk of Cancer Due to Ethylene Oxide Exposure
The CDC finds that people who lived within one mile of the Sterigenics medical sterilization plant in Willowbrook, Illinois during the time that it was operating face an increased lifetime risk of cancer due to ethylene oxide exposure. The CDC report also indicates that after Sterigenics stopped operations at that facility in February 2019, EtO concentrations in the air within one mile of the plant went back to normal.
November 2023Why We Think Sterigenics Should be Held Liable for Toxic Exposure Ethylene Oxide Emissions
The evidence linking ethylene oxide exposure to cancer and other serious health issues is compelling. Sterigenics, as a company that used ethylene oxide for sterilization purposes, had a duty to operate in a manner that prioritized the safety of nearby communities and employees. The allegations against Sterigenics suggest that the company failed to take adequate measures to prevent ethylene oxide emissions and protect those living and working near its plants. Holding Sterigenics accountable for the harm caused by ethylene oxide exposure is essential for ensuring justice for the affected individuals and preventing future incidents.
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What should you do? If you developed cancer or another alleged injury from exposure to ethylene oxide, you should contact a lawyer as soon as possible to discuss filing an ethylene oxide emissions lawsuit.
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The lawsuits against Sterigenics for ethylene oxide exposure highlight the importance of addressing toxic exposure issues and seeking justice for those affected. The link between ethylene oxide and cancer has been extensively studied, providing a strong foundation for individuals pursuing legal action. If you or a loved one have been harmed by ethylene oxide exposure, it is crucial to consult with an experienced attorney to understand your rights and explore legal options. Call us today or fill out the form to pursue the compensation and justice you deserve.
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