Illinois EPA shuts down Willowbrook Sterigenics plant Friday night

WILLOWBROOK, Ill. (February 15, 2019) – The Illinois Environment Protection Agency has ordered the Sterigenics plant in suburban Willowbrook to be immediately sealed after tests showed “extreme daily fluctuations” in ethylene oxide levels and “the highest levels of EtO recorded in the area to date.”

The acting director of the Illinois EPA issued the “seal order” Friday evening to prevent any new medical equipment sterilization processes using ethyline oxide, a known carcinogen.

According to a statement released by Willowbrook officials, testing was completed between February 5 and 8. Results were given to the Illinois Attorney General’s office, the DuPage County State’s Attorney, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. EPA.

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