The Mecca Center encourages you to join Citizens for a Clean DuPage in front of the Sterigenics facility in #Willowbrook ( 7775 S Quincy St) today, August 31, 2018 at 5:30pm to demand that the company stop emitting a toxic gas called Ethylene Oxide.
Sign the petition to stop Sterigenics!
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (Federal agency) notified the village of Willowbrook on August 21st, 2018 that the company “Sterigenics” has been emitting a toxic gas called Ethylene Oxide. Sterigenics has been operating since 1984 at Willowbrook, IL locations.
“These elevated risks present a public health hazard to these populations, It is difficult to assess long-term public health implications from facility emissions because there has been no historical air monitoring in the community.” the report stated.
The company is located in Willowbrook near many schools, and neighborhoods. Sterigenics International is located at 7775 S Quincy St, Willowbrook, IL 60527.
Ethylene oxide has been classified as a “carcinogenic(cancer-causing) to humans” by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 2016, State of California 1987.
Effect on society:
1. Ethylene Oxide has been associated with breast cancer among women (US EPA 6 studies).
2. About 20,000 community members live around this facility and are directly impacted by this toxic gas (parts or all of Willowbrook, Hinsdale, Darien, Burr Ridge, 6 schools, 4 houses of worship, and 2 daycares)
3. Mild to moderate amount of chronic pollution of ethylene oxide is known to cause respiratory irritation and lung injury, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, shortness of breath, an occurrence of cancer, reproductive effects, mutagenic changes, neurotoxicity, and sensitization.
As a community, we care about our children’s health and their future.
What do we demand?:
-Complete shut down of Sterigenics, Willowbrook facility until we have a full understanding of the impact of “Ethylene Oxide” on the community for past 34 years.
-Monitoring of air quality throughout DuPage County.
This facility does not belong in the neighborhood. This facility may be giving people cancer. Let’s put people before profits. Let’s set the correct example for the next generation. Everyone deserves clean air.
Sources:
https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/ethyleneoxide/index.html
https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/HAC/pha/sterigenic/Sterigenics_International_Inc-508.pdf
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