Statement from Plaintiffs Attorneys on new bill introduced by Sen. Tammy Duckworth to close loopholes that allow EPA to hide health risks of chemicals from public

CHICAGO (November 30, 2018) – The team of attorneys representing plaintiffs affected by the toxic emissions from Sterigenics in Willowbrook have released the following statement on a bill introduced by Senator Tammy Duckworth Friday aimed at closing loopholes that allowed the EPA to hide health risks from the public:

“The bill introduced by Senator Tammy Duckworth today is a tremendous step in the right direction as we look to create greater regulations and expand transparency as it pertains to the handling of the cancer-causing chemical, ethylene oxide. Every day Romanucci & Blandin, LLC, Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C., Hart McLaughlin & Eldridge, and Power Rogers & Smith, L.L.P. are fighting to provide support for individuals and families who are suffering from cancer, birth defects, mutations and miscarriages among other catastrophic injuries due to these carcinogenic emissions from the Sterigenics International plant in Willowbrook, Illinois. Individuals living in the communities surrounding Sterigenics were not made aware they were at risk of cancer, nor that their cancer diagnoses were a result of Sterigenics’ emissions of ethylene oxide, until the recent report was released from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) in August 2018. The Expanding Transparency of Toxics (EtO) Act of 2018 requires the EPA to act transparently, employ the best science and establish strong public health restrictions on chemicals that EPA determines to be carcinogens. By closing existing loopholes in our chemical safety laws, this bill will ensure that communities are protected from public health risks. Furthermore, the bill will guarantee that all chemicals the EPA evaluates are scrutinized in a systematic and transparent manner. It is time to hold these decision makers accountable for their reckless negligence that resulted in the needless and continuous poisoning of men, women, and children for so many years. We applaud Senator Duckworth for her dedication and action on this important issue for the citizens of Illinois.”

Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. and the other law firms representing residents affected by the toxic emissions have filed multiple lawsuits and represent numerous clients whose lawsuits are pending against Sterigenics and other defendants for knowingly emitting the cancer-causing toxin ethylene-oxide into the air for decades.

Please click here to learn more about cases filed against Sterigenics.