Sterigenics Plant Shut Down By EPA

WILLOWBROOK, IL - The Sterigenics plant in Willowbrook will be shut down late Friday night. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has confirmed, through multiple reports, that a Seal Order has been issued for the health equipment sterilization facility.

DuPage County Board Chairman Dan Cronin was one of multiple public officials to release a statement following the shutdown, calling it "welcome news" for those who live and work near the plant.

"Achieving this outcome took months of painstaking work and critical attention to detail," the statement said, in part. "Nothing is more important than the health and safety of the people living near this plant. This action provides a prudent step, allowing for further investigation and understanding of the health risks associated with operation of the facility.”

Willowbrook Mayor Frank Trilla first confirmed the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency's decision to shutdown the Sterigenics plant, media reports indicate. The decision was made after "the highest levels of (ethylene oxide) recorded in the area," Trilla said in a statement acquired by NBC-Chicago.

Previous reports indicate the EPA recently released test results from November and December 2018. According to the EPA, results show the two sites located closest to the two Sterigenics buildings are seeing the highest ethylene oxide concentrations. Average readings at those sites are a little over 2 micrograms per cubic meter, with some readings as high as 10 and 11 micrograms per cubic meter.

Outdoor levels of 21 parts per billion were read recently at the Willowbrook Village Hall and 89 parts per billion at the Willowbrook Police Department, the NBC report states.

Congressman Dan Lipinski was another lawmaker to make a public statement in support of the decision to shutdown.

RELATED ON PATCH: Towns Call For Immediate Shutdown Of Sterigenics Plant

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