Cancer Risk and Emissions: Dems Speak out, Call For EPA Funding

WILLOWBROOK, IL — Several political leaders and candidates gathered outside Sterigenics International Inc., on Tuesday morning after reports that emissions from the facility could contribute to an increased risk of cancer in the area. A recent report from the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, which is a division of the CDC, stated, "If measured and modeled data represent typical EtO ambient concentrations in ambient air, an elevated cancer risk exists for residents and off-site workers in the Willowbrook community surrounding the Sterigenics facility. These evaluated risks present a public health hazard to these populations."

Now, political leaders are demanding that President Donald Trump and Congress support the Environmental Protection Agency, according to a release. Some local leaders and opponents are also blasting 6th District Congressional Rep. Peter Roskam, accusing him of staying silent on the issue.

Read: Cancer Risk Tied To Emissions From Willowbrook Company: Study

Rep. Bill Foster (D-11), along with Roskam's Democratic opponent Sean Casten, 17th District Cook County Board candidate Abdelnasser Rashid, 41st District State Senate candidate Bridget Fitzgerald, 82nd District State Representative candidate Tom Chlystek and others called for the president and Roskam to fully fund and protect the EPA so it can monitor and address incidents like the one at Sterigenics in Willowbrook.

According to a release, Casten called for Alexandra Dapolito Dunn, the head of EPA Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, to visit Sterigenics immediately.

Casten also called out current Rep. Roskam for his silence on the issue and for failing to protect the EPA, according to a release.

"Peter Roskam's silence over Sterigenics is astonishing," Casten said in a release. "I'm a scientist who believes in facts, and the facts show ethylene oxide - the toxin emitted from Sterigenics - is giving people cancer in the Sixth Congressional District. Instead of protecting the EPA, Roskam voted to gut the board that reviews the very reports that showed ethylene oxide increases the risk of cancer 30-fold."

Sterigenics International Inc. uses ethylene oxide to sterilize medical equipment and other products. The sterilization process emits ethylene oxide, and a report from the U.S. National Cancer Institute notes, "Exposure to (ethylene oxide) is highly irritating to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract, induces nausea and vomiting and causes central nervous system depression. Ethylene oxide is mutagenic in humans and chronic exposure is associated with an increased risk of leukemia, stomach cancer, pancreatic cancer and non-Hodgkin lymphoma."

"It appears Peter Roskam only has the well-being of the oil and chemical industry in mind. Instead of acting quickly to do anything to protect residents of Willowbrook and neighboring communities, Peter Roskam has kept silent at the behest of his corporate benefactors like the American Chemistry Council - the same folks who have spent over $200,000 on his re-election," Casten added.

Several Willowbrook families have retained a Chicago law firm to investigate ethylene oxide emissions released. Local political leaders also sent a letter to Sterigenics, which stated it is "imperative that the community be assured that Sterigenics is acting as a good corporate citizen and are taking all steps necessary to protect those who are potentially impacted by the emissions of ethylene oxide from their facility."

Many political leaders have called for the facility to cease operations until further study can be done.

Roskam did not immediately respond to a message from Patch asking for a comment.

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