Ethylene Oxide Lawsuit

What Is Ethylene Oxide and Why Is It Used?

Ethylene oxide (EtO) is a colorless, flammable gas primarily used to sterilize medical equipment that cannot withstand high heat or moisture.

It is effective at killing bacteria, viruses, and fungi, making it indispensable for hospitals, surgical centers, and manufacturers of sensitive medical devices.

However, EtO is also classified as a cancer causing chemical by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) due to mounting evidence of its long-term health effects on humans.

Despite its utility, exposure to EtO has been linked to elevated cancer risks and serious medical conditions in both sterilization workers and surrounding communities.

EtO is considered a toxic emission under the Clean Air Act, and its presence in ambient air (especially near sterilization plants) has become a significant public health concern.

Individuals living or working near these facilities may inhale the gas unknowingly, sometimes for decades.

Scientific research has shown that long-term exposure to ethylene oxide may lead to genetic mutations, blood disorders, and immune system dysfunctions.

Because EtO is readily absorbed through the lungs, even low concentrations over time can accumulate in the body and disrupt cellular function.

Federal and state agencies, including the EPA, OSHA, and state environmental departments, have issued warnings and begun tracking EtO emissions more closely, though critics argue enforcement has often lagged behind public health needs.

The most concerning health risks linked to chronic EtO exposure include:

• Increased risk of lymphocytic leukemia and other blood cancers
• Higher rates of breast cancer, especially among women living near sterilization plants
• Potential damage to the reproductive system, including miscarriages and infertility
• Long-term respiratory issues and irritation of the eyes, skin, and throat
• Compromised immune function and cellular damage over time

Although the medical industry relies on EtO to maintain sterile environments, the toxic exposure risks it poses to both workers and residents are driving lawsuits, regulatory scrutiny, and public outrage.

Legal actions, especially those targeting companies like Sterigenics, allege that these sterilization facilities failed to take adequate steps to contain hazardous emissions, putting entire neighborhoods at risk without proper disclosure or mitigation.

How Are Communities and Workers Exposed to Ethylene Oxide?

Ethylene oxide (EtO) exposure occurs primarily through the air, especially in neighborhoods and workplaces near commercial sterilization facilities.

Because EtO is a gas at room temperature and used as a sterilizing agent for medical equipment, it can easily escape into the surrounding environment during routine operations or through leaks and malfunctions.

Individuals exposed to these emissions often live, work, or attend school near these facilities, placing them at higher risk for long-term health problems.

In many cases, the air surrounding these facilities contains measurable concentrations of EtO that exceed safe limits, especially when the company failed to implement adequate emission controls or comply with state regulations.

Air testing by the EPA and state environmental agencies has found EtO concentrations significantly above health-based guidelines in multiple areas across the country.

Despite being aware of EtO’s carcinogenic potential, some facilities have continued releasing the gas without properly informing nearby residents or reducing emissions.

Common scenarios where individuals are exposed to released ethylene oxide include:

• Living within a few miles of a facility that sterilizes medical devices
• Working directly with EtO or in adjacent areas without proper ventilation or safety protections
• Attending school near a sterilization plant known to emit toxic chemicals
• Breathing outdoor air contaminated by long-term or accidental toxic emissions
• Unknowingly living in communities where monitoring or disclosure has been inadequate

The surrounding communities often have no warning about the dangers, even though the risks are well-documented by agencies like the EPA and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

This lack of transparency has led to widespread concerns about the health effects of exposure to EtO, particularly in areas where the gas has been routinely emitted over decades.

Addressing these risks now requires more than awareness: it demands legal action, oversight, and accountability from federal and state agencies and the companies responsible.

Ethylene Oxide Lawsuits: Overview

Communities and workers across the United States are pursuing Ethylene Oxide claims against medical sterilization companies, alleging long‑term exposure to ethylene oxide (EtO) has caused cancer and other serious health conditions.

Plaintiffs typically seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages through legal action backed by health experts’ testimony linking EtO exposure to illnesses like breast cancer, leukemia, and lymphoma.

Across these cases, plaintiffs are requesting compensation not just for treatment costs but also for lost wages, emotional distress, and diminished quality of life, supported by testimony from medical professionals and environmental scientists on the health impacts of chronic EtO exposure.

Willowbrook, Illinois (Sterigenics Willowbrook plant)

A Cook County jury in 2022 awarded $363 million to a woman who developed breast cancer after living near the plant.

In 2023, Sterigenics agreed to a $408 million settlement to resolve over 870 claims, covering cancer, neurological, and other medical conditions linked to EtO exposure, even while denying liability.

Metro Atlanta / Cobb County, Georgia (Sterigenics Smyrna facility)

Legal action against the Sterigenics Smyrna facility, commonly referred to as the Cobb County plant, has intensified in recent years, with dozens of lawsuits filed by individuals who claim exposure to Ethylene Oxide (EtO) caused serious health conditions and financial losses.

In October 2023, the company settled nearly 80 claims for $35 million; plaintiffs alleged toxic emissions caused serious illnesses and property damage, although approximately 400 additional claims remain pending.

A law firm is identifying further ethylene oxide claims in the Metro Atlanta area for another Sterigenics lawsuit against the company.

This litigation is part of a broader wave of lawsuits in Georgia.

Local employees have filed claims against the Sterigenics medical sterilization plant in Cobb County, citing long-term EtO exposure on the job

Cobb County officials have been closely involved throughout, initiating air testing programs, pushing Sterigenics to install emission controls, and examining environmental impacts on public health.

As investigations continue, the actions of Cobb County officials and the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (GA EPD) remain central in determining the plant’s compliance with environmental and public safety mandates.

Other Facilities and Companies

Cosmed Group Inc., which also uses EtO in sterilization, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, facing over 300 lawsuits alleging cancer and injury from EtO exposure.

Medline Industries released 2,863 pounds of EtO in 2017; local plaintiffs have since filed EtO-related suits, including cancer and reproductive harm claims. As of early 2025, the litigation remains unresolved.

Do You Qualify for an Ethylene Oxide Lawsuit?

You may qualify for an Ethylene Oxide (EtO) lawsuit if you lived, worked, or attended school near a medical sterilization facility that emitted high levels of EtO into the surrounding environment.

Ethylene Oxide is a cancer-causing chemical used to sterilize medical equipment, but long-term exposure has been linked to serious health risks.

Communities near facilities operated by companies like Sterigenics, including those in Willowbrook, Illinois, and Smyrna, Georgia, have seen a rise in legal claims tied to elevated cancer rates and other health conditions.

Plaintiffs in these lawsuits allege they developed breast cancer, leukemia, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, or other illnesses after being exposed to toxic emissions from sterilization plants.

If you or a loved one developed breast cancer or other serious health conditions after long-term EtO exposure, you may be eligible to file a claim and seek compensation.

This includes individuals who lived near, worked at, or had frequent contact with affected zones near medical sterilization facilities.

Legal claims can seek damages for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and loss of quality of life.

A growing number of lawsuits are being filed nationwide, with new investigations underway in Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Puerto Rico, and other high-risk locations.

Gathering Evidence for an Ethylene Oxide Lawsuit

Building a strong Ethylene Oxide lawsuit requires crucial evidence that links your exposure to the harmful emissions and your resulting medical condition.

This documentation helps prove that you were exposed to EtO and suffered adverse health effects such as cancer or other long-term complications.

Medical records are often the most persuasive form of evidence, but they are only one part of a broader case.

The more thoroughly you can document your exposure, symptoms, and damages, the more compelling your claim will be in court.

Here are examples of valuable evidence for an Ethylene Oxide lawsuit:

• Medical records confirming a cancer diagnosis or other serious illness
• Proof of residence or employment near an EtO-emitting sterilization facility
• Environmental testing data showing high EtO levels in your neighborhood or workplace
• Expert medical opinions linking your illness to EtO exposure
• Employment records from sterilization facilities or nearby industrial sites
• Testimonies from coworkers, neighbors, or family members about exposure or illness
• Air monitoring reports or EPA/OSHA violation notices tied to the facility
• Receipts for medical expenses or documentation of missed work and lost wages
• Cancer cluster reports or local news investigations from your area

Each piece of evidence plays a role in showing how exposure to Ethylene Oxide may have contributed to your condition and financial losses.

Potential Damages in an Ethylene Oxide Exposure Lawsuit

In a lawsuit, damages refer to the compensation a plaintiff may be awarded for losses caused by another party’s negligence or wrongdoing.

In the context of Ethylene Oxide (EtO) exposure, these damages aim to cover both the financial and emotional toll of living near or working in proximity to toxic emissions.

Victims may be entitled to compensatory damages for out-of-pocket costs and personal suffering, as well as punitive damages meant to punish the companies responsible for creating an ongoing safety risk to the surrounding community.

The more thorough the documentation of harm, the more accurately these damages can be calculated.

Common damages in an Ethylene Oxide exposure lawsuit may include:

• Medical bills for treatment of cancer or other health conditions
• Future medical expenses tied to long-term care or cancer monitoring
• Lost wages due to time off work or reduced ability to earn
• Loss of future earning capacity for permanently affected individuals
• Pain and suffering resulting from a life-altering illness
• Emotional distress tied to health complications or fear of future illness
• Loss of enjoyment of life due to chronic illness or disability
• Property damage or loss of property value near a sterilization facility
• Punitive damages if the company acted with gross negligence or willful disregard
• Wrongful death damages for families who lost a loved one to an EtO-related illness

Each case is unique, but damages are meant to reflect the full extent of the harm caused by toxic emissions and a company’s failure to protect workers and nearby residents.

TruLawsuit Info: Speaking to New Clients About Ethylene Oxide Litigation

Across the country, residents and workers have experienced serious illnesses after being exposed to Ethylene Oxide (EtO) emissions from commercial sterilization facilities.

These emissions, used to sterilize medical devices, have been linked to elevated cancer rates and other health problems in surrounding communities.

As the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state health agencies continue to monitor and regulate this toxic chemical, impacted individuals are coming forward to hold companies like Sterigenics accountable for the harm caused.

At TruLawsuit Info, we’re tracking new developments in the litigation and working with legal teams actively filing claims against facilities like the Sterigenics Smyrna plant in Georgia, the Willowbrook facility in Illinois, and other sterilization sites across the U.S.

Lawsuits allege that these facilities failed to warn nearby communities, did not reduce harmful emissions, and exposed families and workers to long-term health risks, leading to life-altering diagnoses such as breast cancer, lymphocytic leukemia, and other serious conditions.

If you or someone you care about lived near or worked at a facility that released Ethylene Oxide and has since developed cancer or another illness, you may have grounds to file a lawsuit.