Attorneys Representing Cancer Victims in Willowbrook and Burr Ridge Illinois
Residents of Willowbrook and nearby communities have been exposed to Sterigenics ethylene oxide for over 30 years
Achieving Justice. Enhancing Safety.
Sterigenics Ethylene Oxide Exposure Attorneys
Personal Injury Lawyers Representing People Injured by Toxic Chemical Exposure in Willowbrook and Burr Ridge, Illinois
Every person has the right to live and work in a healthful environment. Many of us take this right for granted, and unfortunately, the negligence of certain people or corporations has put some citizens at risk due to circumstances that are beyond their control. This was illustrated for residents of the Chicago suburbs when the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) released a report in August 2018 which found that a facility in Willowbrook had been releasing ethylene oxide into the community.
A plant operated by Sterigenics International which uses ethylene oxide to sterilize products such as medical equipment and pharmaceutical drugs has been operating in Willowbrook since 1984. The ATSDR report found that due to the release of ethylene oxide into the community, residents face an elevated risk of contracting cancer. If you live in or near Willowbrook, you should contact our personal injury attorneys to determine your options for pursuing compensation that addresses the harm done to you and your family.
Who is at Risk from Sterigenics Toxic Air Pollution?
In Willowbrook, Burr Ridge, Hinsdale, Darien, and Surrounding Communities |
A wide variety of people may be at risk of injury because of exposure to toxic chemicals released into the community. There are nearly 20,000 people who live within one mile of the Willowbrook Sterigenics facility, and the surrounding area includes multiple schools, daycare centers, public parks, restaurants, stores, and businesses. Children are especially at risk for developing cancer and other life-altering health problems as a result of long-term exposure. Over the past 30 years of operation, the emissions produced by this facility may have affected many tens of thousands of people.
Effects of Ethylene Oxide Exposure |
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Ethylene Oxide (EtO) is a colorless gas that functions as a disinfectant, a pesticide, and a fungicide. Long-term exposure to small amounts of this chemical can lead to a variety of dangerous conditions, including:
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Recent News About Sterigenics and Ethylene Oxide Exposure
- Sterigenics Shutdown Lifts Cloud Over Willowbrook Home Sales (10/14/2019)
- Sterigenics' Willlowbrook Facility Will Permanently Close, Company Announces (9/30/2019)
- Judge's Ruling Paves Way for Sterigenics Reopening (9/10/2019)
- NBC 5 Anchor Sues Sterigenics, Links Company’s Emissions to His Rare Blood Disease (8/26/2019)
- Lawsuits vs Sterigenics Surge in Cook County, IL Court Following Federal Judge Ruling (8/20/2019)
- Judge Delays Ruling On Deal That May Allow Sterigenics To Reopen (7/23/2019)
- Sterigenics to Reopen Suburban Plant After Agreeing to Limit Release of Cancerous Gas (7/17/2019)
- New Matt Haller Law Cracking Down On Cancer Causing Emissions Called Toughest In The Nation (6/30/2019)
- Sterigenics Moves to Upgrade Shuttered Device Sterilization Plant (6/27/2019)
- Another Willowbrook Resident Says Her Cancer Was Caused By Sterigenics (6/24/2019)
- EPA: Residents Within 1.5 Miles of Willowbrook Sterigenics Plant Had Up To 10 Times Higher Risk of Cancer (5/29/2019)
- Tighter Controls on Toxic Chemical Emissions Clear Illinois House (5/25/2019)
- Hinsdale, Burr Ridge, Willowbrook, Darien Ask Court to Let Them Sue Sterigenics, Along With Illinois (5/14/2019)
- EPA's March Air Tests Show Levels of Toxic Gas in Willowbrook Relatively Low Since Sterigenics Was Shut Down in February (4/26/2019)
- Illinois State Senate Passes Bills to Protect Public From Ethylene Oxide Exposure (4/11/2019)
- Air Pollution Discriminates: One Suburb Forced a Factory Closure, Others Aren't So Lucky (4/1/2019)
- Cancer Rate Higher Near Willowbrook Sterigenics Plant, Study Says (3/29/2019)
- FDA Issues Statement on Shutdown of Willowbrook Sterilization Facility (3/27/2019)
- EPA Tests: Rapid Drop in Cancer-Causing Chemicals Following Sterigenics Closure (3/22/2019)
- EPA Records Hightest Levels of Cancer-Causing Gas Near Sterigenics to Date (3/9/2019)
- A Tale of Two Toxic Cities (2/24/2019)
- EPA Detects Highest Level of Carcinogens in Willowbrook Since it Began Testing Near Sterigenics (2/22/2019)
- Lawmakers Seek More Closures, Ethylene Oxide Ban After Sterigenics Shut Down (2/21/2019)
- Judge Denies Sterigenics Temporary Restraining Order, Willowbrook Facility Remains Closed (2/20/2019)
- Willowbrook Residents Call for Permanent Closure of Sterigenics (2/19/2019)
- Illinois EPA Orders Sterigenics to Halt Sterilization Operations Using Ethylene Oxide (2/15/2019)
- Members of Congress Call for Criminal Probe into Sterigenics (2/13/19)
- Officials Seek Order to Halt Operations at Sterigenics (2/11/19)
- Lawmakers Join Call to Stop Sterigenics From Operating in Willowbrook (2/8/19)
- Hinsdale to Call for Shutdown of Sterigenics (2/8/19)
- EPA Confirms Sterigenics Is Emitting Alarming Levels of Cancer-Causing Gas in Willowbrook But Still Won't Take Action (2/6/19)
- Sterigenics Allegedly Covered Up Toxic Emissions, Operated Secret Plants, Former Workers Say (2/3/19)
- Illinois Lawmakers Demand Answers About Monitoring for Cancer-Causing Chemical During Government Shutdown (1/25/19)
- EPA Document from 1984 Detailed Concerns About Emissions from Willowbrook Sterigenics Plant (12/20/18)
- City of Western Springs Calls For Illinois Attorney General to Shut Down Willowbrook Sterigenics Plant (12/19/18)
- City of Darien Calls For Illinois Attorney General to Shut Down Willowbrook Sterigenics Facility (12/17/18)
- ‘It’s Disgraceful’: Residents Demand Change After Cancer-Causing Chemicals Found at Sterigenics Facility (12/15/18)
- New EPA Tests Near Sterigenics Show Ethylene Oxide Cancer Risks Haven't Disappeared (12/7/18)
- Lawmakers Aim to Close EPA Loopholes in Wake of Sterigenics Scare (12/3/18)
- Hundreds Demand Answers From EPA Officials, Closing of Sterigenics in Willowbrook (11/30/18)
- New Documents Reveal How Sterigenics, Other Companies Were Allowed to Vent Cancer-Causing Gases Into Communities (11/30/18)
- Sterigenics Lawsuit Goes to Court Thursday, EPA Holds Packed Forum in Willowbrook (11/29/18)
- Calls For Closure Of Sterigenics After Claims It Emits Cancer-Causing Gas (11/29/18)
- Bill Introduced To Update Ethylene Oxide Emissions Standards (11/21/18)
- Durbin, Duckworth Want Probe of EPA Response to Sterigenics Cancer Risks (11/4/18)
- Illinois Attorney General Files Lawsuit Against Sterigenics Over Alleged Toxic Air Pollution Violations (10/30/18)
- Illinois EPA Orders Sterigenics to Cease Operations in Willowbrook Until Safety Review Complete (10/2/18)
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney
If your family has been harmed because you have been exposed to ethylene oxide or other toxic chemicals, you may be able to pursue compensation from those who were responsible. To schedule a free consultation and learn more about your options, call our office at 312-605-8800 or fill out our contact form: