Village of Westmont
Date Issued: Aug 31, 2018
Recently, there were two reports issued regarding potential public health concerns related to carcinogenic emissions from the company Sterigenics, located in Willowbrook at 7775 S. Quincy Street, which is east of Route 83 and north of I-55. The Village of Westmont was not directly notified regarding this matter and learned of it through social media posts. Since that time, the Village of Westmont Westmont has been in contact with Willowbrook officials to learn more about this situation and work cooperatively regarding a response.
It has been reported that Sterigenics is in compliance with current EPA standards and has an approved permit for their operations, but an updated report regarding the possible harmful effects of exposure to Ethylene Oxide (EtO), which is emitted by Sterigenics, has resulted in the current attention to this situation. The EPA advised that there is no imminent threat to public health from short-term exposure to EtO, but the long-term effects may have more impact. It has also been reported that Sterigenics completed facility updates in July of 2018 and the data used in the EPA study was gathered prior to these updates.
As of today, August 31, 2018, an official request from the Village of Willowbrook as well as regional and State officials was sent to Sterigenics requesting that they cease operation until the health concerns can be further studied and addressed.
“The health and safety of our citizens is of the utmost importance to the Village of Westmont,” said Westmont Mayor Ron Gunter. “I have directed our Fire Department to work directly with Willowbrook staff to make sure we have a full understanding of this situation prior making additional recommendations. In the meantime, we encourage residents to visit the websites for the Village of Willowbrook and Sterigenics for more information.”
VIllage of Willowbrook - http://www.willowbrookil.org
Sterigenics Willowbrook - https://www.sterigenicswillowbrook.com
On the Village of Willowbrook website, a variety of information has been posted including a link to a video of an informational forum that included a response from the Environmental Protection Agency regarding this situation. Fire Dept. Deputy Chief Steve Riley added, “As more information regarding this health concern comes to light and our further response is developed, we will be sure to alert our citizens of these updates.”
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Contact: Larry McIntyre
Village of Westmont Communications Director
630-417-0280, lmcintyre@westmont.il.gov 