Sterigenics Set To Reopen Under Deal With State

WILLOWBROOK, IL — Sterigenics, the embattled Willowbrook-based sterilization facility that was shut down by the EPA earlier this year, has reached a deal with the state of Illinois to reopen. The company and state agreed to allow the facility to resume operations under certain condition, but with no fine or finding of fault on part of Sterigenics.

Additional emission capture and control equipment that will allow the facility to meet new state standards using ethylene oxide will be implemented, Sterigenics said in a news release Wednesday. Also, Sterigenics will fund $300,000 in community projects geared at improving the environment.

“We are pleased to have reached this agreement, which creates a path for our Willowbrook facility to resume its safe operation and includes no finding of wrongdoing on the company’s part nor theimposition of any financial penalties,” Sterigenics President Philip Macnabb said. “...We remain committed to abiding by the new regulations established by the State. By resolving this matter, we are one major step closer to resuming the critical work of sterilizing vital medical products and devices in Willowbrook for patients in Illinois and beyond.”

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The new requirements Sterigenics will need to adhere to in the agreement are to limit emissions from one of its buildings to 85 pounds a year compared to the 2,890 pounds it released in 2017, according to the Chicago Tribune report.

Officials from several nearby towns including Burr Ridge called for the shutdown of the plant before a Seal Order was issued by the state in February of this year.

Other changes Sterigenics will implement, according to the company, are increasing the number of emission control stages to increase EO capture, combining the existing emissions stacks into one common stack at the facility and eliminating the release of EO “fugitive” emissions from the plant. There will also be around-the-clock monitoring of the plant.

A judge will still need to approve the deal. A court date was not immediately released.