Mason Stands with Environmental Activists, Supports Limiting Ethylene Oxide Emissions

GURNEE, Ill. – Recognizing the risk ethylene oxide poses to the health of her community, state Rep. Joyce Mason, D-Gurnee, is sponsoring legislation that recently passed the House to limit ethylene oxide emissions and ensure that facilities using the chemical are not located near schools, daycares or in densely populated communities.

“As a mom and as a Gurnee resident, the reports of carcinogenic toxins being released into our air is extremely upsetting,” Mason said.  “Ethylene oxide pollution is a matter of life and death that impacts nearly every resident in our community. This legislation is yet another step to improving the health of our families and ensuring that no child is exposed to a deadly chemical.”

House Bill 3888 further regulates the use of ethylene oxide, which is used to sterilize medical equipment. The legislation also would require air monitoring for all ethylene oxide emission points, specific reporting by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency on ethylene oxide emissions in Illinois communities, and increased transparency to the public. Mason was also the chief House sponsor of Senate Bill 1854, a measure implementing the strictest regulations on ethylene oxide emissions in the country. Senate Bill 1854 was signed by Governor Pritzker on June 21 of this year. The regulations outlined in Senate Bill 1854 go into effect on December 18, 2019.

“I’m cosponsoring this bill to ensure that the usage of this harmful chemical is phased out, while ensuring more research goes to monitoring and testing ethylene oxide emissions. It’s so important that our communities remain safe, clean and sustainable,” Mason said. “I am proud to help this bill move through the legislative process, and hope that our Senators recognize the importance of this legislation and approve it immediately.”