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If you were exposed to ethylene oxide emissions near a sterilization facility or chemical plant, our ethylene oxide cancer lawyers can help you pursue accountability and financial recovery.
For decades, many families have lived near chemical plants and sterilization facilities without knowing they may have been breathing a gas linked to cancer. Ethylene oxide, often called “EtO,” is widely used to sterilize medical equipment and to manufacture certain chemicals. It is also an invisible hazard: ethylene oxide is odorless and colorless, which means people can be exposed for years without realizing it.
Now, communities across the country are learning more about ethylene oxide emissions and the potential health consequences of long-term exposure. As awareness grows, so do the number of Ethylene Oxide Cancer Lawsuits filed by people who believe their cancers were caused by living, working, or spending significant time near facilities releasing ethylene oxide into the air.
An Ethylene Oxide Cancer Lawsuit is typically a toxic exposure claim brought by individuals who developed serious illness after chronic exposure to EtO emissions. These cases can involve allegations that companies failed to control emissions, failed to warn nearby residents, and allowed dangerous levels of ethylene oxide to escape into surrounding neighborhoods.
Ethylene oxide is used in industrial and commercial settings for a reason: it is effective at sterilizing equipment that cannot tolerate high heat or steam. It is commonly associated with:
The problem is that ethylene oxide has also been associated with cancer risks by federal agencies. When EtO is released into the air, it may drift into nearby neighborhoods. People can be exposed through inhalation over time, and those exposures may accumulate.
Many Ethylene Oxide Cancer Lawsuits involve allegations that residents were unknowingly exposed to ethylene oxide emissions at levels that created unacceptable cancer risk.
Families pursuing an Ethylene Oxide Cancer Lawsuit often describe a pattern: years of living near a facility, followed by a diagnosis that seems to appear without warning. Some cases involve rare cancers, blood cancers, or multiple diagnoses in the same community.
Ethylene oxide exposure has been linked in public discussion and litigation to serious conditions such as:
Each case is different. That is why speaking with an Ethylene Oxide Cancer Attorney can be critical. A lawyer can help evaluate exposure history, medical records, and whether the facts support a claim for compensation.
Cathy Flint had lived in her Charleston, West Virginia neighborhood for nearly 30 years without questioning the safety of the nearby chemical manufacturing plants. That changed one spring day in 2023 when her neighbor handed her a letter. The letter included a questionnaire asking residents if they had experienced health issues, including cancer, due to exposure to ethylene oxide, a gas released by the nearby plants and linked to various cancers by federal agencies.
Flint, diagnosed with multiple myeloma five years ago, suddenly found herself questioning if her incurable cancer could be connected to the gas emissions. The plants, one of which was less than 750 feet from her home, had been a constant presence in her life, and she had assumed they were safe. Her diagnosis, coupled with the new information, painted a different picture.
This realization led Flint to file a lawsuit in Kanawha County Circuit Court against Dow Chemical’s Union Carbide subsidiary and other companies involved in the production, storage, and transportation of ethylene oxide. Her lawsuit alleges that these companies’ “dangerous, negligent, harmful and reckless emission of ethylene oxide gas” caused high concentrations of the gas in the area, resulting in her multiple myeloma and other health issues among residents.
Ethylene oxide is an odorless, colorless gas widely used to sterilize medical equipment. Despite its utility, it poses significant health risks, including an increased likelihood of developing cancers such as multiple myeloma. Flint’s case is part of a growing number of lawsuits against companies releasing ethylene oxide, with plaintiffs claiming the gas has caused various health issues, including cancers and neurological conditions like Parkinson’s disease.
Union Carbide Corp. maintains that their facilities comply with all permits and have reduced ethylene oxide emissions to “below their already safe levels.” However, environmental attorney Stuart Calwell, representing Flint, argues that the public has been inadequately informed about the risks of living near these plants. He stresses that companies should be held accountable for any hazardous emissions that escape from their facilities.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has also faced legal challenges over its handling of ethylene oxide emissions. Environmental groups argue that a March update to national emissions standards falls short of protecting residents from cancer-causing pollutants. The EPA’s current standards aim to limit lifetime cancer risk to 1 in 1 million people, but the cancer risk in Flint’s neighborhood was 300 in 1 million as of 2020, significantly higher than the national standard.
The impact of ethylene oxide exposure is deeply personal for many residents. Kelly McCown, who grew up on the same block as Flint, has battled polycystic ovary syndrome, kidney stones, and other cysts. Her doctors suggested she move due to potential health risks from nearby chemical plants. McCown is now in the process of filing her lawsuit, echoing Flint’s concerns.
Companies named in Ethylene Oxide Cancer Lawsuits frequently argue that their facilities comply with permits and regulations. In the West Virginia lawsuit described above, the company maintained that its operations complied with permits and that emissions were reduced to “below their already safe levels.”
But legal claims often focus on a different issue: whether emissions were truly safe for nearby residents, and whether the public was properly informed about the risk.
In many toxic exposure cases, compliance arguments do not automatically end liability questions. Plaintiffs may allege that:
These disputes are central to many Ethylene Oxide Cancer Lawsuit Lawyer investigations.
Ethylene oxide (often shortened to EtO) is a sterilizing and manufacturing chemical that many people never hear about until a neighbor gets sick, a local air report raises alarms, or a lawsuit hits the news. Over the last several years, Ethylene Oxide Cancer Lawsuits have expanded across the United States as communities, workers, and families allege that emissions from sterilization facilities and industrial operations exposed them to a carcinogenic gas without adequate protection or warning.
This litigation has produced headline outcomes, including a $363 million jury verdict in Illinois involving a resident who alleged long-term exposure to ethylene oxide emissions caused breast cancer. In addition, Sterigenics (a Sotera Health subsidiary) announced a $408 million settlement intended to resolve more than 870 EtO-related claims tied to a suburban Chicago facility. And in Georgia, a jury awarded $20 million in compensatory damages in an EtO cancer trial associated with a sterilization facility in Covington.
At the same time, defendants have also won some trials. A Colorado jury returned a defense verdict for Terumo BCT in an ethylene oxide case tried in Jefferson County, Colorado. That mixed record is important: it shows that outcomes depend on evidence, exposure history, medical proof, and how jurors assess the facts.
If you or a loved one was diagnosed with cancer and you suspect long-term exposure to ethylene oxide emissions, an Ethylene Oxide Cancer Lawyer can help evaluate whether an Ethylene Oxide Cancer Lawsuit is appropriate and what compensation may be available.
One reason Ethylene Oxide Cancer Lawsuits have accelerated is that ethylene oxide is not a “visible” hazard. It is typically described as a colorless gas, and many residents living near facilities have said they had no meaningful way to know what they were breathing day after day.
Another major factor is the changing understanding of risk and how regulators and communities assess what “acceptable” exposure means. Federal and state environmental reviews, air toxics modeling, and community monitoring have increasingly pushed EtO into public view. Once people learn that a facility near their home or workplace emits a chemical linked to cancer, they often begin asking questions that lead to legal claims:
For many families, the legal system becomes the only realistic route to investigate, demand accountability, and seek compensation for cancer-related losses.
Ethylene oxide emissions have also been the subject of regulatory controversy. Environmental groups have argued that federal emissions standards and updates do not go far enough to protect residents from cancer-causing pollutants.
One point often discussed is how regulators evaluate “acceptable” cancer risk over a lifetime. Some communities have reported significantly higher estimated risks than national targets. In the West Virginia area referenced above, the reported risk was far higher than the EPA’s general goal of limiting lifetime cancer risk to very low levels.
This type of regulatory gap is part of why Ethylene Oxide Cancer Lawsuits continue to grow. When communities believe regulatory oversight did not prevent harm, families often turn to the civil justice system for accountability and financial recovery.
An Ethylene Oxide cancer lawsuit is not a typical personal injury case. These claims often require complex proof, including scientific evidence, medical causation, exposure mapping, facility records, and regulatory history.
Victims can seek damages through toxic tort lawsuits. These lawsuits can help cover medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related costs. The lawsuit process begins with an initial consultation with an attorney, who will assess the case’s viability. If the case proceeds, the attorney files a complaint, gathers evidence, and may negotiate a settlement. If a settlement cannot be reached, the case may go to trial.
Legal representation is crucial in these cases. An experienced attorney can navigate the complexities of product liability law, ensuring that victims’ rights are protected and that they receive the compensation they deserve. The attorney handles all aspects of the case, from filing paperwork to negotiating settlements and representing the client in court.
An experienced Ethylene Oxide Cancer attorney can help by:
This may involve identifying:
Cancer cases require strong documentation. Your lawyer may gather:
In many Ethylene Oxide Cancer Lawsuits, there may be multiple potential defendants, such as:
Companies often fight toxic exposure claims aggressively. An Ethylene Oxide Cancer Lawsuit Lawyer can help protect your rights when defendants attempt to blame:
Families dealing with cancer are often facing enormous financial strain. Your lawyer’s job is to document losses fully and demand compensation that reflects the true impact of the injury.
Compensation in Ethylene Oxide Cancer Lawsuits depends on the individual facts and applicable state law, but commonly includes:
Because the value of an Ethylene Oxide Cancer Lawsuit can depend heavily on future medical needs and long-term impacts, it is important not to underestimate damages early. Many families learn too late that “quick” settlement discussions often fail to account for recurring treatment, follow-up testing, disability, or the lasting physical and emotional effects of cancer.
Our Ethylene Oxide Cancer Lawyers can explain what damages may apply under the laws of the state where the claim is filed.
When families are considering legal action, they often want two things: accountability and financial recovery. They also want a law firm that can handle a complex national toxic exposure case with the resources it requires.
Parker Waichman LLP is a national personal injury law firm that represents people harmed by dangerous products, toxic exposures, and corporate misconduct. Our legal team understands how to build strong injury claims using medical evidence, exposure records, and detailed case investigation.
When you work with Parker Waichman LLP, you can expect:
If you believe your cancer may be connected to ethylene oxide emissions, an Ethylene Oxide Cancer Attorney at Parker Waichman LLP can help you understand your legal options.
While every claim is different, most Ethylene Oxide Cancer Lawsuits follow a general path:
Your lawyer will ask about:
This may include:
If the claim is supported, your attorney may file a complaint in the appropriate court.
Many cases involve motions, discovery, and settlement discussions. Some cases may be resolved before trial, while others may proceed further.
If a fair settlement is not offered, a case may go to trial, where a jury can decide liability and damages.
An Ethylene Oxide Cancer Lawsuit is a legal claim filed by someone who developed cancer after exposure to ethylene oxide emissions. These cases often allege that a company released dangerous levels of EtO into the air and failed to protect nearby residents, workers, or communities from the health risks.
People who may qualify for Ethylene Oxide Cancer Lawsuits often include individuals who lived or worked near a facility that released ethylene oxide and later developed cancer or another serious illness. A lawyer may evaluate your location history, exposure timeline, and medical diagnosis to determine whether a claim may be viable.
Many Ethylene Oxide Cancer Lawsuits involve cancers such as multiple myeloma and other blood-related cancers. Some cases also involve other cancers and serious health conditions depending on exposure history and medical evidence.
You do not necessarily need to personally measure ethylene oxide exposure yourself. An Ethylene Oxide Cancer Lawsuit Lawyer can often investigate exposure through facility records, emissions data, geographic proximity, and other evidence used in toxic tort cases.
Time limits vary by state and may depend on when you were diagnosed and when you discovered the potential connection to ethylene oxide exposure. Speaking with an Ethylene Oxide Cancer Attorney quickly can help protect your right to pursue compensation.
Compensation in Ethylene Oxide Cancer Lawsuits may include medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages tied to the cancer diagnosis and its impact on daily life. In fatal cases, eligible family members may be able to pursue wrongful death damages.
In some situations, yes. If a family member passed away from a cancer potentially linked to ethylene oxide exposure, survivors may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim depending on the laws of the state and the facts of the case.
Our Ethylene Oxide Cancer Lawyers investigate exposure sources, gathers medical documentation, identifies responsible companies, and pursues compensation through settlement negotiations or litigation. These cases often require significant resources and detailed proof, which is why legal representation matters.
If you or a loved one was diagnosed with cancer and you believe it may be connected to ethylene oxide emissions, you may have legal options. You should not have to carry the financial burden of medical bills, lost income, and long-term treatment costs if corporate negligence played a role.
Parker Waichman LLP is a national personal injury law firm representing victims in Ethylene Oxide Cancer Lawsuitsnationwide. Our attorneys are prepared to investigate your claim and help you pursue accountability and compensation.
Call Parker Waichman LLP today for a free consultation: (516) 466-6500.
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According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the following facilities are Ethylene Oxide commercial sterilization facilities.
American Contract Systems, Inc.
7300 W. Detroit Street
Chandler, AZ
Stryker Sustainability Solutions
10232 S. 51st Street
Phoenix, AZ
Baxter Healthcare Corporation
1900 North Highway 201
Mountain Home, AR
Microvention, Inc.
35 Enterprise
Aliso Viejo, CA
Life Science Outsourcing, Inc.
830 Challenger Street
Brea, CA
Parter Medical Products Inc.
17115 Kingsview Avenue
Carson, CA
Applied Medical Products Inc.
9401 Toledo Way
Irvine, CA
Sterigenics US, Inc.
4801-63 50th Street
Los Angeles, CA
Blue Line Sterilization Services
401 Bel Marin Keys Blvd, Unit C
Novato, CA
Sterigenics US, LLC
687 Wanamaker Avenue
Ontario, CA
American Contract Systems Inc.
14528 Meridian Parkway, Ste B
Riverside, CA
The Jackson Laboratory
1650 Santa Ana Avenue
Sacramento, CA
Steris Isomedix Services Inc.
7685 Saint Andrews
San Diego, CA
St. Jude Medical CRMD
15900 Valley View Court
Sylmar, CA
Steris, Inc.
43425 Business Park Dr.
Temecula, CA
LivaNova
14401 W. 65th Way
Arvada, CO
Western
5421 Western Ave
Boulder, CO
Terumo BCT Sterilization Service, Inc.
11308 W. Collins Avenue
Lakewood, CO
Jorgensen Labs, Inc.
2211 West 8th Street
Loveland, CO
Covidien LP
195 McDermott Road
North Haven, CT
Arthrex Manufacturing Inc Finishing
6861 Arthrex Commerce Drive
Ave Maria, FL
Fort Myers Facility
11600 Adelmo Lane
Fort Myers, FL
International Sterilization Laboratory
217 Sampey Road
Groveland, FL
Medtronic ENT
6743 Southpoint Dr N
Jacksonville, FL
American Contract Systems, Inc.
7802 E Telecom Pkwy
Temple Terrace, FL
Sterigenics U.S. LLC
2971 Olympic Industrial Court SE, Suite 116
Atlanta, GA
Sterilization Services of Georgia
6005 Boat Rock Boulevard
Atlanta, GA
KPR U.S. LLC d/b/a Kendall Patient Recovery U.S., LLC
1430 Marvin Griffin Road
Augusta, GA
BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company)
8195 Industrial Boulevard
Covington, GA
BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company)
1211 Mary Magnan Boulevard
Madison, GA
American Contract Systems, Inc.
1601 SE Gateway Drive, Suite 120
Grimes, IA
Medline Industries
1160 South Northpoint Boulevard
Waukegan, IL
Cook Incorporated
6330 North Matthews Drive
Ellettsville, IN
Isomedix Operation, Inc.
435 Whitney Street
Northborough, MA
Professional Contract Sterilization, Inc.
40 Myles Standish Boulevard
Taunton, MA
Fuchs North America
3800 Hampstead Mexico Road
Hampstead, MD
Elite Spice, Inc.
1415 Magellan Drive
Hanover, MD
Elite Spice, Inc.
7151 Montevideo Road
Jessup, MD
Trinity Sterile, Inc.
201 Kiley Drive
Salisbury, MD
Cardiac Pacemakers Inc/Boston Scientific
4100 Hamline Ave N
Arden Hills, MN
STERIS Inc.
380 90th Avenue Northwest
Coon Rapids, MN
Medtronic Inc – Rice Creek
7000 Central Ave NE
Fridley, MN
Midwest Sterilization Corporation
1204 Lenco Avenue
Jackson, MO
American Contract Systems
2610 NE Industrial Dr Ste 220
North Kansas City, MO
Sterigenics US, LLC
10821 Withers Cove Park Drive
Charlotte, NC
Andersen Scientific
1001 Aviation Pkwy Suite
Morrisville, NC
Becton Dickinson Pharmaceutical Systems
920 E 19th Street
Columbus, NE
Elite Spice, Inc.
1225 E. Greg Street #102
Sparks, NV
J-Pac, LLC
25 Centre Road
Somersworth, NH
Cosmed Group Inc dba Cosmed of NJ
19 Park Drive
Franklin, NJ
ETO Sterilization-Plant #2
2500 Brunswick Ave
Linden, NJ
Steris Isomedix Services Inc
3459 S Clinton Ave
South Plainfield, NJ
Sterigenics-Santa Teresa, NM
2400 Airport Road
Santa Teresa, NM
Long Island Sterilization
175 Wireless Blvd
Hauppauge, NY
Sterigenics US LLC – Kingsbury
84 Park Road
Queensbury, NY
American Contract Systems, Inc.
85 Shaffer Park Drive
Tiffin, OH
LEMCO Ardmore
3204 Hale Road
Ardmore, OK
B Braun Med Inc/Allentown
901 Marcon Blvd
Allentown, PA
Cosmed Group LLC/Erie
2205 E 33rd Street
Erie, PA
American Contract Systems
4040 Jackson Pointe Court, Building 4000
Zelienople, PA
Edwards Lifesciences Technology Sàrl
Parque Industrial Carr. PR-402, Km. 1.4 N
Añasco, PR
St. Jude Medical Puerto Rico, LLC.
Carr 682 Int Santana Industrial Park Bo. Santana
Arecibo, PR
Guidant Puerto Rico, B.V. (dba Boston Scientific Puerto Rico)
Road 698 lot No. 12
Dorado, PR
Customed, Inc.
Carretera Igualdad #7
Fajardo, PR
Medtronic Puerto Rico Operations Company (MPROC Juncos)
Carr. PR-31, Km 24.4
Juncos, PR
Steri-Tech, Inc.
Carretera 701 Km 0.7 Salinas Industrial Park
Salinas, PR
Medtronic PR Operation Co.
Carr. 151, Bo. Villalba Arriba
Villalba, PR
Boston Scientific Corporation
8 Industrial Drive
Coventry, RI
STERIS-Isomedix Services
2072 Southport Road
Spartanburg, SC
3M Company
601 22nd Avenue South
Brookings, SD
Sterilization Services of Tennessee
2396 Florida Street
Memphis, TN
DeRoyal Industries, Inc.
1135 Highway 33 South
New Tazewell, TN
Steritec, Inc.
1705 Enterprise Street
Athens, TX
Dynatec Scientific Laboratories
11940 Golden Gate Rd
El Paso, TX
Isomedix Operations, Inc.
1435 Isomedix Place
El Paso, TX
Isomedix Operations, Inc.
1175 Isuzu Pkwy
Grand Prairie, TX
Sterigenics U.S. LLC
1302 Avenue T
Grand Prairie, TX
American Contract Systems, Inc.
7702 Parnell St
Houston, TX
Midwest Sterilization Corporation
12010 General Milton
Laredo, TX
Ethicon, Inc.
3348 Pulliam Street
San Angelo, TX
Ethylene Oxide Commercial Sterilization Plant
5725 West Harold Gatty Drive
Salt Lake City, UT
BD Medical
9450 South State Street
Sandy, UT
Central Virginia Health Network
2521 Brittons Hill Road
Richmond, VA
Sterilization Services of Virginia
5674 Eastport Boulevard
Henrico, VA
LifeNet Health
5733 Bayside Rd – Suite 104
Virginia Beach, VA
ALCON – Advance Optic Device Center North
2 Vision Lane
Lesage, WV
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