The Sterilization Services of Tennessee facility at 2396 Florida Street in the Mallory Heights neighborhood of Memphis, Tennessee has exposed nearby residents to harmful levels of the human carcinogen “Ethylene Oxide” (EtO) for decades.
People who currently live or have lived within a 4-mile radius of the Sterilization Services of Tennessee facility could be eligible, and stronger claims may come from those who lived there in the 1980s.
What is Ethylene Oxide (EtO)?
Ethylene Oxide is a compound used to make ethylene glycol and many other consumer products, including household cleaners and personal care items. It is also used to sterilize medical equipment and other plastics that are sensitive to heat or steam.
According to the Food and Drug Administration, EtO is currently used to treat approximately 50% of sterile medical devices, about 20 billion medical devices annually.
Ethylene Oxide (EtO) Lawsuits
Ethylene Oxide has gained increased regulatory scrutiny and has been the focus of recent multimillion-dollar lawsuits and settlements. Given this attention, any company emitting ethylene oxide could become the target of a lawsuit or regulatory agency.
A risk assessment completed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in July of 2022 revealed that the Sterilization Services of Tennessee facility was releasing dangerous levels of EtO into the air, increasing the risk for cancers for people living in the South Memphis community of Mallory Heights. The emissions from the plant are so high that people who live closest to it have a cancer risk of 2,000 additional cases per one million people.
Ethylene Oxide (EtO) Health Risks
Chronic exposure to EtO can lead to serious health hazards, such as:
- Brain cancer
- Breast cancer
- Leukemias
- Lung cancer
- Lymphomas
- Multiple myeloma / myeloma
- Pancreatic cancer
- Pediatric cancer
- Stomach cancer
Because of the dangers posed by using Ethylene Oxide, the EPA classified it as a human carcinogen in December of 2016.
What To Do If You’ve Been Exposed
If you lived near the Sterilization Services of Tennessee facility at 2396 Florida Street in Memphis (I-55), you may be eligible for compensation. Give Bart Durham Injury Law a call right now – 800-844-1712 – to discuss your potential case.
Consultations are always free, and the Bart Durham Injury Law team has years of experience helping folks just like you get the justice they deserve.