The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency is holding a public forum on August 1 where all can make comments. Stop Sterigenics is organizing a protest on August 1, 2019 at 5:00pm. The event is at Ashton Place in Willowbrook. We would love to have 1,000 people that day to show our community strength against Sterigenics.

Today, our community faces a very serious threat: the emission of ethylene oxide, a dangerous carcinogenic toxin, from Sterigenics, a company in Willowbrook (fact sheet here). 

Ethylene oxide (EtO) is a chemical used for sterilization that Sterigenics has vented into our community for decades. EtO is a Group 1 carcinogen, neurotoxin, and teratogen and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lists it among the most hazardous air pollutants. Due to significantly high levels of ethylene oxide detected in Willowbrook, the Illinois EPA issued a seal order forcing Sterigenics to stop using the gas at their facilities on February 15, 2019. Even though this was a victory for the health of our community, the fight for clean air in the southwest suburbs is far from over as Sterigenics has been fighting to resume operations. 

We now face a situation (click here to learn more) where Sterigenics could be allowed to continue using EtO in “safe” amount.

There is NO safe amount and it’s critical that Sterigenics NOT be allowed to use EtO at all. 

There are four things you can do to join the fight against Sterigenics: 

STEP ONE: COME TO THE AUGUST 1 PROTEST. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency is holding a public forum on August 1 where all can make comments. Stop Sterigenics is organizing a protest on 8/1 at 5:00pm. The event is at Ashton Place in Wiilowbrook. We would love to have 1,000 people that day to show our community strength against Sterigenics. 

STEP TWO: DONATE. Please donate to Stop Sterigenics. The group is considering hiring its own legal counsel and they also need more resources for educating the community and creating better awareness. You can DONATE HERE. 

STEP THREE: GET THE FACTS. Be sure to visit the Stop Sterigenics website for the latest news, facts, and events that are taking place. Stop Sterigenics is a dedicated group of community volunteers who have been working tirelessly to benefit us all. Please subscribe to their updates (scroll down on their home page to enter your email) and follow them on Facebook and on Twitter to stay informed. 

STEP FOUR CALL: WRITE YOUR LEGISLATORS. We have to make sure our voices are heard. You’ll find information on who to contact on the Stop Sterigenics website. It takes just a moment to call or write and voice your opposition to Sterigenics and EtO. Thank you for joining get fight to Stop Sterigenics. Together we can strengthen the fight for clean air in our community. Please let us know if you have any questions.