Yingling-Sponsored Laws Cracking Down on Ethylene Oxide Emissions Take Effect

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – With the start of the New Year, there will be stricter regulations on manufacturers and sterilizers emitting the dangerous chemical ethylene oxide due to a new law that was passed with the help of state Rep. Sam Yingling, D-Grayslake.

“It is not acceptable for large corporations such as Medline to use our communities as a dumping ground for their cancer-causing chemicals,” said Yingling. “I am glad that we were able to pass these new laws, but there is still much more work to be done. This next session, I will keep fighting so that residents can have the peace of mind knowing they are not being poisoned every time they breathe.”

Yingling co-sponsored Senate Bills 1852 and 1854 to limit the amount of ethylene oxide that manufacturers and sterilizers are allowed to emit into the surrounding areas. To confirm that the emitters are in compliance with the new regulations, the law requires that there is regular, independent testing of ethylene oxide emissions.

Yingling has been a fierce advocate in reducing ethylene oxide emissions. He introduced legislation that would prohibit the emissions of ethylene oxide emissions altogether and has called on the facilities emitting ethylene oxide to stop using the dangerous chemical.

“As a lifelong resident of the area, I often wonder how many people I know were affected by this deadly chemical,” said Yingling. “No one should have to live in fear of the air they breathe, which is why I am determined to continue cracking down on ethylene oxide emissions until everyone in our community can be assured of their safety.”