By Nick Gale, WLS-AM 890 News
(CHICAGO) A lawsuit has been filed against Sterigenics alleging the company is violating state pollution laws.
Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin have filed the lawsuit asking a court to shut down the Sterigenics facility in west suburban Willowbrook or enforce more stringent emissions laws.
“For too long, Sterigenics emitted a dangerous, toxic chemical into the air putting the public’s health at risk,” Madigan said in a statement. “In addition to filing our lawsuit, I urge the General Assembly to pass legislation to ban or greatly restrict the use of ethylene oxide in Illinois.”
The cancer-causing gas is used to sterilize medical instruments and pharmaceuticals. The Chicago Tribune was first to report on the elevated risk of cancer in Willowbrook.
Sterigenics says it is in compliance with state and federal regulations.
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