Didech Combats Ethylene Oxide Crisis in Lake County

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – As part of his continued efforts to address the ongoing crisis of carcinogenic ethylene oxide (EtO) emissions, state Rep. Dan Didech, D-Buffalo Grove, co-sponsored legislation to better regulate its use.

“It is unconscionable that polluters in Lake County have been let off the hook when they’re emitting a chemical known to cause cancer,” Didech said. “This legislation will help hold polluters accountable and make sure residents know whether their air is safe to breathe.” 

Didech co-sponsored House Bill 457, which would seek to crackdown on hazardous usage of EtO sterilization operations by requiring them to capture 100% of all emissions. The legislation also calls for increased testing and reporting of emissions to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. In the event emissions an EtO sterilization operation fails to demonstrate compliance by failing a test, the owner will be required to immediately cease operations.

“The Sterigenics situation in Willowbrook shows that there are not enough safeguards to protect the public from Ethylene Oxide,” Didech said. “This bill is a major step in making sure that the polluters in Lake County aren’t putting the health and safety of residents at risk. Reducing emissions and making notification mandatory is a huge step to keeping our community safe from pollution.”