Sterigenics to Pay $363 Million for Cancer Caused by Emissions

Sterigenics must pay $363 million to a woman who claims that three decades of exposure to ethylene oxide from one of its plants contributed to her development of breast cancer, according to a jury in Cook County, Ill..

Sterigenics’ Willowbrook plant has been the target of more than 760 lawsuits over the toxic emissions. The suits claim that the medical device sterilization company knew of the health hazards from breathing poisonous chemicals, but didn’t warn the neighboring community.

The company uses ethylene oxide to sterilize medical supplies by sealing products in a room and allowing the gas to penetrate through ...