Sterigenics to Pay $408 Million to Settle Toxic Emissions Suits

Medical sterilizer Sterigenics will pay $408 million to settle over 870 lawsuits pending in Illinois state and federal courts over exposure to ethylene oxide from one of its plants, according to a company press release.

The suits were brought over emissions from Sterigenics’ now-shuttered Willowbrook, Ill., plant, and claim that the medical device sterilization company knew of the health hazards—including cancer—from breathing ethylene oxide, but didn’t warn neighboring communities.

Sterigenics maintains that its Willowbrook plant didn’t pose a safety risk to the community, and believes “the evidence and science would have ultimately compelled the rejection of the plaintiff’s claims,” according ...