Cancer caused by ethylene oxide exposure
Exposure to ethylene oxide (EtO) can have both immediate and long-term health consequences. If you are continuously exposed to this harmful chemical, there is a greater chance of developing severe and life-threatening diseases.
Because of the health risks associated with EtO exposure, countless people in the U.S. have started filing lawsuits against irresponsible companies. Today, several corporations are facing legal proceedings for failing to implement proper pollution controls that could have significantly reduced or altogether eliminated the possibility of EtO emissions.
Ethylene oxide has been listed as a carcinogen to humans by both the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Furthermore, the EPA states that those who live near places that emit EtO gas have a 1 in 10,000 chance of developing cancer. The following are the cancer types that have been associated with EtO exposure and make you eligible to file a claim:
- Leukemia
- Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
- Multiple myeloma
- Liver cancer
- Lung cancer
- Breast cancer (male and female)
Adding to the EtO's downsides, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) reports a 63% increased risk of breast cancer in women exposed to EtO. If you were diagnosed with any of the cancers listed above and want to take legal action you need to provide evidence that links your existing cancer diagnosis to ethylene oxide exposure.
Apart from serious health consequences, EtO emissions have lowered property value and greatly affected how victims are able to use and enjoy their homes. Due to the harmful effect of EtO on a person’s health and quality of life, victims are fighting to hold companies accountable.
The lawsuits allege that the corporations knew or should have known about the health risks posed by EtO emissions. They failed to warn both their employees and the nearby communities about the dangers of EtO emissions.
Who can file a claim for ethylene oxide exposure?
The following individuals may qualify for an ethylene oxide exposure claim:
- Employees of facilities that use ethylene oxide
- Residents who live within four miles of EtO-using establishments
- Family members who have lost a loved one due to cancer linked to EtO exposure
In order to start the claims process, you will need to collect the following documents:
- Employment records at the EtO-using company you work or have worked for
- Residential records to prove your proximity to EtO-using establishments
- Medical documents that show your cancer diagnosis related to EtO exposure.
If your claim is successful, you may receive compensation for damages caused by ethylene oxide exposure. An EtO settlement may help to cover medical and healthcare expenses, pain and suffering, and lost income.
Ethylene oxide exposure in U.S. facilities
People who worked at or lived near the following facilities in the United States may have been exposed to ethylene oxide. If you are facing health issues and work or live within four miles of any of the listed establishments, you may be eligible to file a toxic exposure claim.
Arkansas
- Baxter Healthcare Corporation
California
- American Contract Systems Inc.
- Blue Line Sterilization Services
- Partner Medical Products Inc.
- St. Jude Medical CRMD
- Sterigenics US, Inc.
- Sterigenics US, LLC
- Steris, Inc.
Colorado
- Jorgenson Labs Inc.,
- LivaNova
- Terumo BCT Sterilization Service, Inc.
Florida
- American Contract Systems
- American Contract Systems (Fort Myers Facility)
- Arthrex Manufacturing Inc. Finishing
- International Sterilization Laboratory
- Medtronic Xomed
Georgia
- BD(Becton, Dickinson and Company)
- KPR U.S. LLC d/b/a/ Kendall Patient Recovery U.S. LLC
- Sterilization Services of Georgia
Iowa
- American Contract Systems Inc.
Maryland
- Elite Spice, Inc (Hanover, MD)
- Elite Spice, Inc (Jessup, MD)
- Fuchs North America
Massachusetts
- Professional Contract Sterilization
- Steris Corporation
Minnesota
- Medtronic Inc-Rice Creek
- Steris Inc.
Missouri
- Midwest Sterilization Corporation-Jackson
Nebraska
- BD Pharmacuetical Systems
New Jersey
- Cosmed Sterilization
- Cosmed Group Inc.
- North American Sterilization & Packaging Company (Franklin, NJ)
New York
- Long Island Sterilization
- Steregenics U.S. LLC
Ohio
- American Contract Systems Inc.
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
- American Contract Systems Inc.
- B Braun Med Inc/Allentown
- Medical Manufacturing Corporation
Puerto Rico
- Customed, Inc.
- Edwards Lifesciences Technologies Sàrl
- Guidant Puerto rico, B.V.(dba Boston Scientific Puerto Rico)
- Medtronic Puerto Rico Operations Company
- Steritic, Inc (Salinas, PR)
Tennessee
- DeRoyal Industries (Royal Sterilization Systems)
Texas
- American Contract Systems Inc.
- Ethicon, Inc.
- Midwest Sterilization Corporation
- Steritec, Inc.
- Sterigenics, U.S. LLC
Virginia
- Lifenet Heatlh
- Sterilization Services of Virginia (Henrico, VA)
Ethylene oxide litigation’s timeline of events
Here’s an overview of the most significant events and recent developments regarding the legal battles surrounding ethylene oxide exposure.
- 2020 Delaware class action lawsuit
A chemical manufacturing company was scrutinized and sued for its unsafe and improper release of ethylene oxide gas. This affected several nearby communities, and a class action lawsuit was filed in Delaware.
Following Delaware’s lead, over 150 EtO-related lawsuits were filed against a medical device manufacturing company in Georgia.
- 2022 First ethylene oxide settlement
Illinois was the first state to see an EtO trail. The victim was awarded $363 million as compensation for her breast cancer associated with EtO exposure.
- 2023 Tennessee class action lawsuits and other ethylene oxide settlements
Over 800 victims were awarded a $408 million payout for their EtO exposure claim in June 2023. By November 2023, an additional 79 people received a settlement of $35 million.
