March 08, 2019

Duckworth, Durbin Respond to Latest Sterigenics Air Quality Test Results

 

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] — U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement in response to the latest ambient air quality monitoring results outside of Sterigenics in Willowbrook, Illinois:

“This alarming data further confirms that the people of Willowbrook and the surrounding community have been exposed to unacceptable levels of cancer-causing ethylene oxide (EtO) emissions from Sterigenics. It also illustrates why the EPA must immediately begin ambient air quality monitoring outside of Medline and Vantage – the two facilities in Lake County that produce EtO emissions – so we can determine if they pose a public health threat. The EPA must also use its authority to immediately publish a new safety standard that reflects the fact that EtO is a known carcinogen and conduct a study on the background levels of EtO across the nation. We know EtO is dangerous to public health and we cannot afford any more delays.”

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