ILLINOIS STATE SENATE

DISTRICT OFFICE
7501 ROAD

SPRINGFIELD OFFICE
I 053 CAPITOL BUILDING

SUITE: 3156 SPRINGFIELD. ILLINOIS 62706
IL 605 I 7 2 I 7.782.940?
630.796.2623

630.796.2653 FAX


 

JOHN F. CURRAN
STATE SENATOR - 4 I 51' DISTRICT

September 7, 2018

The Honorable Lisa Madigan
Illinois Attorney General
Chicago Main Office

100 West Randolph Street
Chicago, IL 60601

Dear Attorney General Madigan:

As you know, many questions have been raised about the dangers of ethylene Oxide emissions from the
Sterigenics facility in Willowbrook. Based on the available information, I respectfully request that you
work with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and take legal action to revoke Sterigenics Air
Permit Number: 95120085 with the Illinois EPA issued in 2015.

Since the permit was issued, a study entitled, ?Evaluation of Potential Health Impacts from Ethylene
Oxide Emissions? (US. Department of Health and Human Services) has been released. The study reveals
new important health risk information that was not available to the public or state officials at the time
the air permit was issued in 2015. The study concluded that residents and workers are exposed to
elevated airborne ethyl oxide concentrations from facility emissions. The study further stated that these
risks include an elevated cancer risk. Based on this new information, it is clear that the permit issued in
2015 allows emissions that are not safe and material mistakes were made in setting the emissions levels
allowed by the permit.

Therefore, Sterigenics should not be allowed to continue operation under the current permit. Prompt
legal action is necessary to stop Sterigenics from continued operation under the current permit and to
reopen the permit as authorized by Section 39.5 of the Environmental Protection Act and the terms of
the permit so that the allowed emissions levels can be modified to reflect the new information. Please
take whatever legal action is necessary to ensure that the health and safety of the public and workers at
the plant is protected.

Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions. Also, please keep me updated on your efforts
on this matter.

Sincerely,
John F. Curran, State Senator Dan Cronin, Chairman
41?t District DuPage County Board

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