Ethylene Oxide Lawsuit | Ethylene Oxide Exposure Risks
- Last Updated: May 2nd, 2025
Attorney Jessica Paluch-Hoerman, founder of TruLaw, has over 28 years of experience as a personal injury and mass tort attorney, and previously worked as an international tax attorney at Deloitte. Jessie collaborates with attorneys nationwide — enabling her to share reliable, up-to-date legal information with our readers.
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Key takeaways:
- Ethylene oxide litigation demonstrates how industrial facilities operating without proper emission controls can lead to community health impacts and substantial settlements.
- Residents in areas such as Cobb County, Georgia, and Grand Rapids, Michigan, can minimize risk through awareness of local industrial activities, maintaining medical records, and following recommended health screenings if living in known contamination zones.
- Recent litigation shows a single plaintiff with documented exposure history and medical evidence can successfully pursue compensation.
What is the Ethylene Oxide Lawsuit?
Question: What is the Ethylene Oxide Lawsuit?
Answer: The Ethylene Oxide Lawsuit refers to legal actions taken against companies that use or emit ethylene oxide (EtO), a chemical widely used for sterilizing medical equipment and in manufacturing various consumer products.
TruLaw is actively accepting new clients for the Ethylene Oxide Lawsuit.
On this page, we’ll answer this question in further depth, health risks associated with Ethylene Oxide Exposure, qualifying for an Ethylene Oxide Lawsuit, and much more.
Ethylene Oxide Lawsuits: Occupational & Community Exposure
The Ethylene Oxide Lawsuits target sterilization facilities and other entities responsible for EtO emissions, where serious health issues have been reported, such as breast cancer, lymphatic leukemia, and birth defects.
Numerous affected individuals have been exposed to ethylene oxide for years without their knowledge and are unaware of the serious health risks.
The EPA has categorized Ethylene Oxide as a Group 1 human carcinogen to indicate there is substantial evidence connecting exposure to cancer development in humans.
Exposure to ethylene oxide has been associated with breast cancer, various forms of leukemia (ALL, AML, CLL, and Hairy Cell Leukemia), Hodgkin lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and several types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Lawyers nationwide are currently filing claims against Sterigenics, Viant Medical, and other EtO manufacturers on behalf of occupational exposure victims and the surrounding community to hold them responsible for damages caused by their negligent actions.
If you or a loved one developed health problems after exposure to ethylene oxide emissions from nearby industrial facilities, you may be eligible to seek compensation.
Contact TruLaw using the chat on this page to receive an instant case evaluation and determine your eligibility to join others in filing an Ethylene Oxide Lawsuit today.
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How Can An Ethylene Oxide Exposure Attorney from TruLaw Help You?
Our Ethylene Oxide Exposure attorney at TruLaw is dedicated to supporting clients through the process of filing an Ethylene Oxide Exposure lawsuit.
With extensive experience in toxic chemical exposure cases, Jessica Paluch-Hoerman and our partner law firms work with litigation leaders and medical experts to prove how ethylene oxide emissions from industrial facilities caused you harm.
TruLaw focuses on securing compensation for medical expenses, cancer treatments, pain and suffering, lost income, and other damages resulting from your ethylene oxide exposure injuries.
We understand the physical and emotional toll that ethylene oxide-related illnesses have on your life and provide the personalized guidance you need when seeking justice.
Meet the Lead Ethylene Oxide Exposure Attorney at TruLaw
Meet our lead Ethylene Oxide Exposure attorney:
- Jessica Paluch-Hoerman: As founder and managing attorney of TruLaw, Jessica brings her experience in toxic exposure and personal injury to her client-centered approach by prioritizing open communication and personalized attention with her clients. Through TruLaw and partner law firms, Jessica has helped collect over $3 billion on behalf of injured individuals across all 50 states through verdicts and negotiated settlements.
How much does hiring an Ethylene Oxide Exposure lawyer from TruLaw cost?
At TruLaw, we believe financial concerns should never stand in the way of justice.
That’s why we operate on a contingency fee basis—with this approach, you only pay legal fees after you’ve been awarded compensation for your injuries.
If you or a loved one developed cancer or other health problems after being exposed to ethylene oxide emissions from nearby industrial facilities, you may be eligible to seek compensation.
Contact TruLaw using the chat on this page to receive an instant case evaluation and determine whether you qualify to join others in filing an Ethylene Oxide Exposure lawsuit today.
Geographic Areas With Known EtO Risks
Ethylene oxide (EtO) contamination has created significant health concerns in numerous communities across the United States.
The EPA has identified several hotspots where industrial emissions have potentially exposed thousands of residents to dangerous levels of this carcinogenic gas.
Cobb County, Georgia: Sterigenics Settlement
Residents in areas such as Cobb County, Georgia, have experienced substantial EtO exposure from the Sterigenics plant, which has operated since 1972.
Between 2015 and 2019, nine alleged ethylene oxide leaks occurred at this facility, leading to widespread contamination concerns in surrounding neighborhoods.
These emissions resulted in numerous lawsuits, with Sterigenics ultimately agreeing to pay $35 million to settle nearly 80 claims related to cancer and other health conditions allegedly caused by their operations.
Grand Rapids, Michigan: Viant Medical Facility
Similarly, residents in areas such as Grand Rapids, Michigan, faced significant risks from the Viant Medical facility located at 520 Watson Street SW.
Environmental testing revealed that parts of Grand Rapids had cancer risks nearly four times the national average due to ethylene oxide emissions from this operation.
After multiple violations for inadequate capture and control of EtO, Michigan regulators required Viant to cease all ethylene oxide sterilization activities by December 2020.
Other notable locations with documented EtO contamination include Willowbrook, Illinois; Lake County, Illinois; Covington, Georgia; and parts of Texas and Pennsylvania where commercial sterilizers have operated for decades.
Major Sources of Harmful Ethylene Oxide Emissions
Ethylene oxide (EtO) releases pose substantial risks to nearby communities.
By identifying major emission sources and risk factors, individuals can better assess their exposure potential and determine appropriate actions, including potential legal remedies.
Industrial Sterilization Facilities and ETO Emissions
Unlike other chemicals with similar applications, ethylene oxide presents heightened dangers due to its stability in air and ability to travel substantial distances from its source.
The EPA has documented numerous instances where the same facility repeatedly exceeded permitted emission levels over several years.
The most prominent sources of ethylene oxide pollution include:
- Medical equipment facilities using EtO as a sterilizing agent for heat-sensitive devices
- Commercial sterilizers process pharmaceuticals, spices, and cosmetics
- Chemical manufacturing plants where EtO serves as a precursor for various products
- Hospitals with onsite sterilization units, often operating under different regulatory requirements than their industrial counterparts
Recent investigations in Cook County, Illinois, revealed concerning pollution patterns leading to multiple settlements.
These cases highlighted the need for companies to reduce emissions through improved containment systems, monitoring protocols, and alternative sterilization methods where feasible.
How to Determine If You’re in a High-Risk Area
Several resources exist to help determine if you live in an area with dangerous EtO levels:
- EPA’s National Air Toxics Assessment (NATA) maps showing census tracts with elevated cancer risks
- State environmental agency monitoring data (availability varies by location)
- Federal court records documenting facilities with documented violations
- Environmental justice organizations tracking inhalation carcinogenicity risks in vulnerable communities
The health effects linked to chronic EtO exposure include increased cancer risks, respiratory issues, and neurological problems.
Those experiencing symptoms may pursue personal injury claims if they can establish a connection between their conditions and nearby emission sources.
New regulations proposed in 2024 aim to strengthen monitoring requirements and emission caps for facilities nationwide, potentially reducing community exposures.
However, historical exposures remain actionable for those affected before these protective measures were implemented.
Qualifying for an Ethylene Oxide Lawsuit
To qualify for an ethylene oxide (EtO) lawsuit, plaintiffs must establish two key elements: documented health problems linked to EtO exposure and provable proximity to facilities using this substance.
Courts examine both medical records and geographic data when determining lawsuit eligibility.
Health Conditions Linked to ETO Exposure
EtO is a powerful sterilizing agent used widely in medical equipment processing facilities.
Research has confirmed numerous health effects associated with prolonged EtO exposure, including:
- Various cancer types (breast, lymphoma, leukemia, etc.)
- Respiratory problems
- Neurological disorders
- Reproductive issues
The EPA classifies EtO as having high inhalation carcinogenicity, making it particularly dangerous when airborne particles are breathed in regularly.
EtO poses greater risks than many other chemicals used in industrial settings due to its volatility and ability to remain present in the atmosphere for extended periods.
Proving Proximity to Sterilization Facilities
Successful lawsuits require demonstrating that you lived or worked near facilities releasing EtO.
Many cases proceed through federal court when involving corporate defendants operating across state lines.
Evidence needed to file an Ethylene Oxide Lawsuit typically includes:
- Residence/employment history showing proximity to commercial sterilizers
- Duration of potential exposure (minimum timeframes vary by case)
- Documentation that you were exposed at the same facility during operational periods with known EtO use
Notable examples include lawsuits in Cook County, Illinois, where numerous cases have resulted in substantial settlements.
Plaintiffs who can show that facilities failed to meet regulatory requirements designed to protect surrounding communities often have stronger cases.
Companies now face increasing pressure to reduce emissions through improved containment systems, but historical exposure remains actionable for those who developed health conditions before these improvements were implemented.
TruLaw: Accepting Clients for the Ethylene Oxide Exposure Lawsuit
Ethylene oxide exposure lawsuits are being filed by individuals across the country who developed cancer and other serious health conditions after being exposed to industrial emissions of this toxic gas.
TruLaw is currently accepting clients for the ethylene oxide exposure lawsuit.
A few reasons to choose TruLaw for your ethylene oxide exposure lawsuit include:
- If We Don’t Win, You Don’t Pay: The ethylene oxide exposure lawyers at TruLaw and our partner firms operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only get paid if you win.
- Expertise: We have decades of experience handling toxic exposure cases similar to the ethylene oxide exposure lawsuit.
- Successful Track Record: TruLaw and our partner law firms have helped our clients recover billions of dollars in compensation through verdicts and negotiated settlements.
If you or a loved one developed health problems after exposure to ethylene oxide emissions from nearby industrial facilities, you may be eligible to seek compensation.
Contact TruLaw using the chat on this page to receive an instant case evaluation that can determine if you qualify for the Ethylene Oxide Lawsuit today.
Ethylene Oxide Lawsuit Frequently Asked Questions
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How does the Environmental Protection Agency regulate ethylene oxide emissions?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates ethylene oxide as a hazardous air pollutant under the Clean Air Act.
After discovering increased cancer risks, the EPA recently strengthened standards for commercial sterilization facilities.
These updated regulations require improved emission controls and monitoring to better protect workers and surrounding communities from exposure.
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What types of facilities commonly use ethylene oxide?
Sterilization plants are primary emission sources, including the Sterigenics sterilization facility that processes medical products.
Chemical plants use ethylene oxide to manufacture products containing ethylene glycol.
Medical device manufacturers depend on this chemical to sterilize medical devices that cannot withstand heat or radiation.
Commercial sterilization facilities are concentrated in certain regions, creating exposure hotspots now facing increased scrutiny.
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What health concerns are associated with ethylene oxide exposure?
Ethylene oxide exposure presents significant potential health risks, primarily the risk of developing cancer.
Studies link exposure to lymphoid cancers, leukemia, and breast cancer.
Many plaintiffs in current lawsuits claim they developed breast cancer after living near high-emission facilities.
Risk increases with exposure duration, with facility workers and nearby residents facing the greatest danger.
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How are lawsuits against ethylene oxide emitters progressing?
Lawsuits against ethylene oxide emitters show mixed outcomes, with some resulting in substantial settlements while others end in a defense verdict.
Plaintiffs typically allege facilities failed to control emissions despite knowing the risks.
Claims seeking compensation for medical monitoring, property devaluation, and personal injuries based on scientific evidence about exposure and cancer causation.
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What role do regulatory agencies play in ethylene oxide oversight?
Multiple regulatory agencies oversee ethylene oxide use.
OSHA establishes workplace exposure limits, while FDA regulates it as a sterilant for medical devices.
These agencies must balance emission reduction against the chemical’s essential role in healthcare sterilization.
Coordination has improved recently, with joint initiatives to develop safer alternatives while maintaining medical supply availability.
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What actions are being taken to reduce ethylene oxide emissions nationwide?
Many commercial sterilization facilities are implementing enhanced controls beyond requirements.
The Environmental Protection Agency is reviewing regulations under the Clean Air Act, with proposed rules to reduce allowable emissions.
Medical manufacturers are researching alternative sterilization methods.
Communities are demanding real-time monitoring, greater transparency, and involvement of regulatory agencies in addressing potential health risks from ongoing operations.
Managing Attorney & Owner
With over 25 years of legal experience, Jessica Paluch-Hoerman is an Illinois lawyer, a CPA, and a mother of three. She spent the first decade of her career working as an international tax attorney at Deloitte.
In 2009, Jessie co-founded her own law firm with her husband – which has scaled to over 30 employees since its conception.
In 2016, Jessie founded TruLaw, which allows her to collaborate with attorneys and legal experts across the United States on a daily basis. This hypervaluable network of experts is what enables her to share the most reliable, accurate, and up-to-date legal information with our readers!
Additional Ethylene Oxide Lawsuit resources on our website:
Here, at TruLaw, we’re committed to helping victims get the justice they deserve.
Alongside our partner law firms, we have successfully collected over $3 Billion in verdicts and settlements on behalf of injured individuals.
Would you like our help?
At TruLaw, we fiercely combat corporations that endanger individuals’ well-being. If you’ve suffered injuries and believe these well-funded entities should be held accountable, we’re here for you.
With TruLaw, you gain access to successful and seasoned lawyers who maximize your chances of success. Our lawyers invest in you—they do not receive a dime until your lawsuit reaches a successful resolution!
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Here, at TruLaw, we’re committed to helping victims get the justice they deserve.
Alongside our partner law firms, we have successfully collected over $3 Billion in verdicts and settlements on behalf of injured individuals.
Would you like our help?
