What is the current status of the EtO Sterilization lawsuit?

The EtO Sterilization litigation is currently active with 300+ pending in Georgia (Covington/Smyrna); hundreds active in Illinois (Waukegan/Lake County); dozens in New Jersey, California, Texas plaintiffs. Filing trend: New filings slowing in resolved Illinois markets; continued activity in Georgia and emerging jurisdictions (Vernon, CA; Franklin, NJ; Texas).

Has there been a EtO Sterilization settlement?

$408M Willowbrook settlement (879 cases, Jan. 2023); $34M term sheet (129 claims, July 2025); $3M+ Georgia group settlement (7 plaintiffs, 2024); Medline Waukegan settlement (amount disputed, 2025); Sterigenics Smyrna settlement (79 cases); Cosmed Group bankruptcy (2024)

What verdicts have been reached in EtO Sterilization cases?

$363M verdict Kamuda v. Sterigenics (Sept. 2022, Ill.); $20M compensatory Walker v. BD/CR Bard (May 2025, Ga.), punitive phase mistrial; defense verdict Isaacks v. Terumo BCT (March 2025, Colo.); defense verdict B. Braun cases (2024-2025)

What is the statute of limitations for EtO Sterilization claims?

{"entries":[{"state":"Illinois","duration":"2 years from discovery of injury","rule":"735 ILCS 5/13-202; discovery rule applies for latent disease claims per Kamuda v. Sterigenics U.S., LLC, Cook County Cir. Ct. (2022)","discoveryRule":"Accrues when plaintiff knows or reasonably should know of injury and its causal connection to EtO exposure","note":"Willowbrook/Sterigenics mass tort settled $408M

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Active litigation category78 eventsToxic Exposure

EtO Sterilization

Q: What is the EtO Sterilization lawsuit about?

{"summary":"EtO sterilization litigation has expanded beyond traditional facility emissions to warehouse storage sites and civil conspiracy claims against parent companies and landlords, even as defense verdicts mount. The Willowbrook, Illinois wave—anchored by a $363 million jury verdict in Kamuda v. Sterigenics (Cook Cty. Cir. Ct. Sept. 19, 2022)—settled 879 cases for $408 million in January 202

Environmental · claims that ethylene oxide (EtO) emissions from commercial medical sterilizers and chemical plants caused cancer (leukemia, lymphoma, breast cancer) in nearby residents and workers

Defendant

Sterigenics U.S., LLC

MDL / Track

None

State courts (Ill.

Judge

Various state court judges
Judge Jorge L. Alonso (N.D. Ill.) handled coordinated federal remand

Plaintiffs

300+ pending in Georgia (Covington/Smyrna)
hundreds active in Illinois (Waukegan/Lake County)
dozens in New Jersey, California, Texas

Bellwether / Trial

$363M verdict Kamuda v. Sterigenics (Sept. 2022, Ill.)
$20M compensatory Walker v. BD/CR Bard (May 2025, Ga.), punitive phase mistrial
defense verdict Isaacks v. Terumo BCT (March 2025, Colo.)
defense verdict B. Braun cases (2024-2025)

Settlement Status

$408M Willowbrook settlement (879 cases, Jan. 2023)
$34M term sheet (129 claims, July 2025)
$3M+ Georgia group settlement (7 plaintiffs, 2024)
Medline Waukegan settlement (amount disputed, 2025)
Sterigenics Smyrna settlement (79 cases)
Cosmed Group bankruptcy (2024)

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← Torts Case overview Litigation status Geographic exposure Key defendants Timeline Statute of limitations Live activity News PubMed EPA Court filings Legislative

Case overview

EtO sterilization litigation has expanded beyond traditional facility emissions to warehouse storage sites and civil conspiracy claims against parent companies and landlords, even as defense verdicts mount. The Willowbrook, Illinois wave—anchored by a $363 million jury verdict in Kamuda v. Sterigenics (Cook Cty. Cir. Ct. Sept. 19, 2022)—settled 879 cases for $408 million in January 2023, but hundreds of claims remain active in Georgia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and California, with new filings targeting the Sterigenics Vernon, California facility and Cosmed Group's Franklin, New Jersey site. A May 2025 jury awarded $20 million to a truck driver exposed during pickups at a sterilization facility, expanding theories of exposure beyond residential proximity.

Causation Theory

EPA's 2016 inhalation unit risk revision classified EtO as carcinogenic to humans and increased potency estimates roughly 50-fold, establishing a 1-in-1 million excess cancer risk at 0.1 parts per trillion. The International Agency for Research on Cancer's Group 1 designation relies primarily on breast cancer and lymphohematopoietic cancer endpoints. A 2025 NIOSH cohort study of 7,549 women with 62-year follow-up found workers with 3,650 ppm-days cumulative exposure (equivalent to 10 years at 1 ppm) had over three times the rate of breast cancer mortality (RR 3.15; 95% CI: 1.78, 5.60). EtO acts as a direct-acting alkylating agent with demonstrated genotoxicity in exposed workers.

Litigation status

EtO sterilization litigation remains active across multiple state courts with no federal MDL consolidation. Illinois cases are substantially resolved following the $408 million Willowbrook settlement (879 cases) and a July 2025 $34 million term sheet covering 129 additional claims. Georgia state court litigation is the current focal point, with 300+ cases pending in Covington and Smyrna following the May 2025 Walker verdict ($20M compensatory, punitive phase mistrial). Judge Jorge L. Alonso (N.D. Ill.) remanded coordinated Illinois federal cases to state court in December 2024 after Medline and Vantage settlements stripped complete diversity. In re: Ethylene Oxide Coordinated Pretrial Proceedings, No. 24 C 7261 (N.D. Ill. Dec. 3, 2024).

Geographic exposure

EPA identifies 23 of ~100 commercial sterilization/fumigation facilities nationwide emitting EtO at neighborhood cancer risk levels; 1,500+ individual plaintiffs filed through 2025. Emerging exposure vectors: warehouse off-gassing (unregulated federally, Georgia sole state with air permits), truck driver loading/unloading exposure. Trump EPA reconsideration of 2024 NESHAP Final Rule may affect regulatory backdrop.

Henrico County, Virginia
Sterilization Services of Virginia facility — April 9, 2026 release of 580 pounds EtO from faulty check valve; EPA flagged 2022 as 1 of 23 high-risk sterilizers nationally; 260,000+ residents potentially exposed per NOAA HYSPLIT modeling; 71% of affected census tracts Black population; $54,000 DEQ fine June 2026; no public alert issued. Presidential exemption from 2024 NESHAP rules granted 2025.
El Paso, Texas
Cardinal Health warehouses (2 facilities) — Grist analysis: 603,000 residents (90% of city) face >1-in-1 million cancer risk from off-gassing; 1,600+ above EPA 1-in-10,000 threshold; unregulated warehouse emissions exceed Santa Teresa, NM sterilizer risk. Cross-border supply chain: Ciudad Juárez manufacturing → NM sterilization → El Paso storage.
Vernon/Maywood, California
Sterigenics U.S. facility — ~25 lawsuits filed Q2 2024 per industry timeline; active intake window open; newly scrutinized site with nascent litigation.
Franklin, New Jersey
Cosmed Group facility — first wave plaintiffs filed 2023; company filed bankruptcy 2024 amid litigation costs; active pending litigation with recent diagnosis latency opportunity.
Linden, New Jersey
ETO Sterilization-Plant #2 (2500 Brunswick Avenue) — EPA confirmed lifetime cancer risk ≥100-in-1 million; maximum 20-in-1 million in dark blue zone; spice/nut sterilization since 1986; March 2024 NESHAP amendments apply.
Santa Teresa, New Mexico
Sterigenics U.S. facility — State AG Hector Balderas litigation filed Dec. 22, 2020; ongoing state enforcement action for community exposure; litigation pending.
Covington, Georgia
Becton Dickinson/CR Bard facility — resident claims settled Oct. 2025; Gary Walker v. BD/CR Bard May 2025 plaintiff verdict; truck driver exposure claims expanding liability theory beyond residential proximity.
Smyrna, Georgia
Sterigenics Cobb County facility — 79-plaintiff group settled $35 million 2023; property devaluation suits 2023 affecting 5,000+ homes per Cobb County Property Assessor; defense verdicts in Fornek v. Sterigenics, Glass v. B. Braun.
Lakewood, Colorado
Terumo BCT Inc. facility — Isaacks et al. v. Terumo BCT, No. 2022CV031124 (Colo. 1st Jud. Dist.), defense verdict March 2025; ~25 additional cases filed during trial; hundreds pending.
Waukegan, Illinois (Lake County)
Medline/Steris Isomedix facility — settled March 1, 2025; ~275 suits in Illinois state court per Nov. 2024 SEC disclosure; mass tort resolution completed; retrial set after Jan. 2026 proceedings before Judge Frank Andreou.

Key defendants

Sterigenics U.S., LLC

Role: Sterilization Facility Operator

Core defendant in Willowbrook litigation. Paid $408M settlement (Jan. 2023) resolving 870+ claims following $363M Kamuda verdict. Facility shuttered 2019; consent decree allowed reopening under stricter controls but litigation exposure remains in other jurisdictions including New Mexico AG action.

Sotera Health Co.

Role: Parent Company

Sterigenics parent. Jointly liable in Willowbrook settlement. Denied facility posed safety risk while settling to avoid protracted litigation. Exposure extends to consolidated state court mass torts in Illinois and pending New Mexico AG action.

B. Braun Medical Inc.

Role: Medical Device Manufacturer

Allentown, Pennsylvania facility litigation. Mixed verdict posture: settled multiple PA resident claims (Feb. 2025) but secured defense verdict in Glass et al. (Dec. 2024). Continued exposure at operational sterilization sites.

Harcros Chemicals Inc.

Role: Chemical Manufacturer

Kansas City, Kansas facility operator. Facing active class action (Jeffries et al., D. Kan. Oct. 2025) alleging multi-decade emissions of EtO and other carcinogens. Successor liability theories target corporate predecessors including Elementis entities.

Medline Industries, Inc.

Role: Medical Supply Distributor

Lake County/Waukegan, Illinois facility co-defendant with Steris Isomedix. Settled resident claims (Mar. 2025). Previously survived 12(b)(6) challenge in Leslie v. Steris Isomedix (N.D. Ill.) but faced revived claims post-Berry.

Becton, Dickinson and Co.

Role: Medical Device Manufacturer

Covington, Georgia facility litigation. Settled resident claims (Oct. 2025). EPA identified BD Nebraska and Utah facilities as potential heightened cancer risk sites; litigation exposure expanding to additional geographic markets.

Defendant	Role	Intelligence Note
Sterigenics U.S., LLC	Sterilization Facility Operator	Core defendant in Willowbrook litigation. Paid $408M settlement (Jan. 2023) resolving 870+ claims following $363M Kamuda verdict. Facility shuttered 2019; consent decree allowed reopening under stricter controls but litigation exposure remains in other jurisdictions including New Mexico AG action.
Sotera Health Co.	Parent Company	Sterigenics parent. Jointly liable in Willowbrook settlement. Denied facility posed safety risk while settling to avoid protracted litigation. Exposure extends to consolidated state court mass torts in Illinois and pending New Mexico AG action.
B. Braun Medical Inc.	Medical Device Manufacturer	Allentown, Pennsylvania facility litigation. Mixed verdict posture: settled multiple PA resident claims (Feb. 2025) but secured defense verdict in Glass et al. (Dec. 2024). Continued exposure at operational sterilization sites.
Harcros Chemicals Inc.	Chemical Manufacturer	Kansas City, Kansas facility operator. Facing active class action (Jeffries et al., D. Kan. Oct. 2025) alleging multi-decade emissions of EtO and other carcinogens. Successor liability theories target corporate predecessors including Elementis entities.
Medline Industries, Inc.	Medical Supply Distributor	Lake County/Waukegan, Illinois facility co-defendant with Steris Isomedix. Settled resident claims (Mar. 2025). Previously survived 12(b)(6) challenge in Leslie v. Steris Isomedix (N.D. Ill.) but faced revived claims post-Berry.
Becton, Dickinson and Co.	Medical Device Manufacturer	Covington, Georgia facility litigation. Settled resident claims (Oct. 2025). EPA identified BD Nebraska and Utah facilities as potential heightened cancer risk sites; litigation exposure expanding to additional geographic markets.

Timeline

2016-12
EPA Reassesses EtO Cancer Risk
EPA updates Integrated Risk Information System assessment, concluding ethylene oxide is roughly 30 times more potent as a carcinogen than previously estimated. U.S. EPA, Ethylene Oxide IRIS Assessment.
2018
EPA NATA Identifies High-Risk Zones
EPA's 2018 National Air Toxics Assessment identifies census tracts near Sterigenics Willowbrook as among the highest ethylene oxide cancer-risk zones in the country.
2019-02-15
Illinois EPA Seals Willowbrook Plant
Illinois EPA issues seal order halting all sterilization operations at Sterigenics Willowbrook facility. Plant never reopened; Sterigenics announced permanent closure September 30, 2019.
2020-05-14
Letart EtO Class Action Filed
Mark Letart et al. v. Union Carbide Corp., No. 2:19-cv-00877 (S.D. W. Va. May 14, 2020). District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin denies motion to dismiss class action alleging EtO emissions from Institute, West Virginia facility caused elevated cancer risks.
2022-09-19
First EtO Plaintiff Verdict: $363M
Cook County jury returns $363 million verdict ($38M compensatory, $325M punitive) in Susan Kamuda v. Sterigenics U.S., LLC, et al., first ethylene oxide trial verdict in U.S. history. Judge Marguerite Quinn denies post-trial motions December 19, 2022.
2022-11-18
Defense Verdict in Fornek Trial
Cook County jury returns defense verdict in Margaret Fornek v. Sterigenics U.S., LLC, et al., same court as Kamuda, finding no causation between Willowbrook EtO exposure and plaintiff's leukemia.
2023-01-09
$408M Willowbrook Settlement
Sotera Health announces $408 million settlement resolving 879 ethylene oxide claims in Cook County Circuit Court and N.D. Ill. Approximately 99.7% of eligible claimants accept; average recovery roughly $464,000.
2023-10
Georgia Plaintiffs Settle for $35M
Group of 79 Georgia plaintiffs settles ethylene oxide claims against Sterigenics for $35 million in Quinn Buczek et al. v. Sterigenics U.S., et al.
2024-12
Defense Verdict in Glass v. B. Braun
Jury returns defense verdict in Christopher Glass et al. v. B. Braun Medical Inc., Pennsylvania state court, December 2024.
2025-03
Defense Verdict in Isaacks v. Terumo
Jury returns defense verdict in Lisa Isaacks et al. v. Terumo BCT Inc., Colorado state court, March 2025.
2025-05
$20M Verdict for Truck Driver
Georgia jury awards $20 million compensatory damages to truck driver claiming EtO exposure during stops at sterilization facility; punitive phase declared mistrial. Gary Walker v. Becton Dickinson (BD); CR Bard Inc.
2025-07
Additional Willowbrook Claims Settled
Sterigenics and Sotera Health settle additional Willowbrook claims outside original 2023 settlement, resolving cases filed in 2025. Additional Claims v. Sterigenics U.S., LLC, et al.
2026-03
California Cases Set for Trial
Los Angeles Superior Court denies Sterigenics summary judgment, sets first California ethylene oxide trials for January 25 and April 15, 2027. 15 California Residents v. Sterigenics U.S.

Statute of limitations

No federal MDL established as of March 2026; cases proceed in state court mass torts. EPA interim registration review decision issued January 14, 2025 (90 FR 3208). April 5, 2024 NESHAP rule tightened emissions standards. Screen for last exposure date and diagnosis date to determine accrual. Federal preemption defenses raised but largely rejected in state court rulings to date.

⚠ 1 state with critical SOL — act immediately

Illinois

2 years from discovery of injury

Rule: 735 ILCS 5/13-202; discovery rule applies for latent disease claims per Kamuda v. Sterigenics U.S., LLC, Cook County Cir. Ct. (2022)

Discovery: Accrues when plaintiff knows or reasonably should know of injury and its causal connection to EtO exposure

Willowbrook/Sterigenics mass tort settled $408M June 2023; new filings focused on Medline (Waukegan) and other active facilities. No revival statute pending.

Georgia

2 years from injury discovery

Rule: O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33; discovery rule for toxic exposure claims per Smyrna/Covington Sterigenics litigation

Discovery: Accrues upon diagnosis or when causal link to EtO emissions reasonably discoverable

Smyrna facility closed; Covington (BD) remains operational. Defense verdicts in 2024-2025 noted in industry reporting; SOL still running for newly diagnosed.

Pennsylvania

2 years from discovery

Rule: 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 5524(2); discovery rule applies for occupational/environmental disease

Discovery: Accrues when plaintiff knows of injury and its cause

January 2026: Pa. state court declined class certification in EtO litigation per TruLaw update. Individual filings continue. Allentown area facilities active.

Colorado

2 years from discovery of injury

Rule: C.R.S. § 13-80-104(1)(a); discovery rule for toxic torts per Lakewood Sterigenics facility litigation

Discovery: Accrues upon reasonable discovery of injury and causal connection

December 2025: Colorado air regulators advancing April 2026 rulemaking for first state EtO emissions limits. Lakewood facility closed 2019; latency period supports ongoing filings.

California

2 years from discovery

Rule: Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1; discovery rule per Jolly v. Eli Lilly & Co., 751 P.2d 923 (1988)

Discovery: Accrues upon discovery of injury and its cause

Q2 2024: ~15 California residents filed v. Sterigenics U.S. per industry timeline. Facilities in Carson, Santa Teresa region. No revival window open.

⚠New Jersey

2 years from discovery

Rule: N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2; discovery rule for toxic torts per Lavelle v. Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corp., 824 A.2d 797 (2003)

Discovery: Accrues upon reasonable discovery of injury and its causal connection to EtO exposure

2024: Franklin facility became new litigation target with ~25 lawsuits filed. Emerging intake opportunity with recent diagnosis latency.

State	SOL	Rule	Discovery Rule	Notes
Illinois	2 years from discovery of injury	735 ILCS 5/13-202; discovery rule applies for latent disease claims per Kamuda v. Sterigenics U.S., LLC, Cook County Cir. Ct. (2022)	Accrues when plaintiff knows or reasonably should know of injury and its causal connection to EtO exposure	Willowbrook/Sterigenics mass tort settled $408M June 2023; new filings focused on Medline (Waukegan) and other active facilities. No revival statute pending.
Georgia	2 years from injury discovery	O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33; discovery rule for toxic exposure claims per Smyrna/Covington Sterigenics litigation	Accrues upon diagnosis or when causal link to EtO emissions reasonably discoverable	Smyrna facility closed; Covington (BD) remains operational. Defense verdicts in 2024-2025 noted in industry reporting; SOL still running for newly diagnosed.
Pennsylvania	2 years from discovery	42 Pa.C.S.A. § 5524(2); discovery rule applies for occupational/environmental disease	Accrues when plaintiff knows of injury and its cause	January 2026: Pa. state court declined class certification in EtO litigation per TruLaw update. Individual filings continue. Allentown area facilities active.
Colorado	2 years from discovery of injury	C.R.S. § 13-80-104(1)(a); discovery rule for toxic torts per Lakewood Sterigenics facility litigation	Accrues upon reasonable discovery of injury and causal connection	December 2025: Colorado air regulators advancing April 2026 rulemaking for first state EtO emissions limits. Lakewood facility closed 2019; latency period supports ongoing filings.
California	2 years from discovery	Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1; discovery rule per Jolly v. Eli Lilly & Co., 751 P.2d 923 (1988)	Accrues upon discovery of injury and its cause	Q2 2024: ~15 California residents filed v. Sterigenics U.S. per industry timeline. Facilities in Carson, Santa Teresa region. No revival window open.
⚠New Jersey	2 years from discovery	N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2; discovery rule for toxic torts per Lavelle v. Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corp., 824 A.2d 797 (2003)	Accrues upon reasonable discovery of injury and its causal connection to EtO exposure	2024: Franklin facility became new litigation target with ~25 lawsuits filed. Emerging intake opportunity with recent diagnosis latency.

Live intelligence

AI litigation brief

EtO Sterilization remains active litigation category with 78 current signals in the accepted feed.

Overview

Key developments

The Well News news on Aug 10: Unveiling America’s Silent Airborne Hazard: Ethylene Oxide and the Need for Stronger EPA Oversight - The Well News
EPA regulatory on May 20: National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants - Area ...
PubMed research on Aug 11: Linking Air Pollution and Hematologic Malignancies: From Epidemiology to Molecular Mechanisms.

Trajectory

Press and regulatory signals are moving in tandem for EtO Sterilization. The next escalation check is whether these agency actions prompt new PACER filings or MDL scheduling orders.

Editorial intelligence

Editorial coverage should stay tied to source-backed developments and avoid placeholder status copy for EtO Sterilization.

Generated Aug 12, 2026, 2:00 AM UTC

This article covers the EPA's historical regulatory actions on ethylene oxide emissions from chemical manufacturing and sterilization facilities, directly related to the environmental and health claims in EtO litigation.

AI Litigation Note

EPA regulatory on Mar 13 for EtO Sterilization. Regulatory developments can change intake posture and motion practice quickly.

Generated Jun 10, 2026, 4:53 AM UTC

Confidence 85%Published Mar 13, 2026, 12:14 PM UTCSource →

No recent court filing signals. Monitoring is active — this section updates automatically.

No recent legislative signals. Monitoring is active — this section updates automatically.

Workbench

LexGenius Ranking

48Score

Fresh items are present but not yet surging

Evidence12 / 20

Momentum19 / 20

Exposure10 / 20

Regulatory12 / 20

Legal11 / 20

Monitoring

Live

monitoring

Last: Aug 12, 2026, 2:00 AM UTC

Next: —

Source Monitoring

PACER

1m 25s

PACER

Pending

Google News

1m 25s

PubMed

26m 25s

EPA

56m 25s

Event feed

events detected

Google NewsPubMedEPA

AI Brief

EtO Sterilization remains active litigation category with 78 current signals in the accepted feed.

Overview

Key developments

The Well News news on Aug 10: Unveiling America’s Silent Airborne Hazard: Ethylene Oxide and the Need for Stronger EPA Oversight - The Well News. ‖ EPA regulatory on May 20: National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants - Area .... ‖ PubMed research on Aug 11: Linking Air Pollution and Hematologic Malignancies: From Epidemiology to Molecular Mechanisms..

Generated Aug 12, 2026, 2:00 AM UTC

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Active litigation category78 eventsToxic Exposure

EtO Sterilization

Environmental · claims that ethylene oxide (EtO) emissions from commercial medical sterilizers and chemical plants caused cancer (leukemia, lymphoma, breast cancer) in nearby residents and workers

Defendant

Sterigenics U.S., LLC

MDL / Track

None

State courts (Ill.

Judge

Various state court judges
Judge Jorge L. Alonso (N.D. Ill.) handled coordinated federal remand

Plaintiffs

300+ pending in Georgia (Covington/Smyrna)
hundreds active in Illinois (Waukegan/Lake County)
dozens in New Jersey, California, Texas

Bellwether / Trial

$363M verdict Kamuda v. Sterigenics (Sept. 2022, Ill.)
$20M compensatory Walker v. BD/CR Bard (May 2025, Ga.), punitive phase mistrial
defense verdict Isaacks v. Terumo BCT (March 2025, Colo.)
defense verdict B. Braun cases (2024-2025)

Settlement Status

$408M Willowbrook settlement (879 cases, Jan. 2023)
$34M term sheet (129 claims, July 2025)
$3M+ Georgia group settlement (7 plaintiffs, 2024)
Medline Waukegan settlement (amount disputed, 2025)
Sterigenics Smyrna settlement (79 cases)
Cosmed Group bankruptcy (2024)

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← Torts Case overview Litigation status Geographic exposure Key defendants Timeline Statute of limitations Live activity News PubMed EPA Court filings Legislative

Case overview

Causation Theory

Litigation status

Geographic exposure

Henrico County, Virginia
Sterilization Services of Virginia facility — April 9, 2026 release of 580 pounds EtO from faulty check valve; EPA flagged 2022 as 1 of 23 high-risk sterilizers nationally; 260,000+ residents potentially exposed per NOAA HYSPLIT modeling; 71% of affected census tracts Black population; $54,000 DEQ fine June 2026; no public alert issued. Presidential exemption from 2024 NESHAP rules granted 2025.
El Paso, Texas
Cardinal Health warehouses (2 facilities) — Grist analysis: 603,000 residents (90% of city) face >1-in-1 million cancer risk from off-gassing; 1,600+ above EPA 1-in-10,000 threshold; unregulated warehouse emissions exceed Santa Teresa, NM sterilizer risk. Cross-border supply chain: Ciudad Juárez manufacturing → NM sterilization → El Paso storage.
Vernon/Maywood, California
Sterigenics U.S. facility — ~25 lawsuits filed Q2 2024 per industry timeline; active intake window open; newly scrutinized site with nascent litigation.
Franklin, New Jersey
Cosmed Group facility — first wave plaintiffs filed 2023; company filed bankruptcy 2024 amid litigation costs; active pending litigation with recent diagnosis latency opportunity.
Linden, New Jersey
ETO Sterilization-Plant #2 (2500 Brunswick Avenue) — EPA confirmed lifetime cancer risk ≥100-in-1 million; maximum 20-in-1 million in dark blue zone; spice/nut sterilization since 1986; March 2024 NESHAP amendments apply.
Santa Teresa, New Mexico
Sterigenics U.S. facility — State AG Hector Balderas litigation filed Dec. 22, 2020; ongoing state enforcement action for community exposure; litigation pending.
Covington, Georgia
Becton Dickinson/CR Bard facility — resident claims settled Oct. 2025; Gary Walker v. BD/CR Bard May 2025 plaintiff verdict; truck driver exposure claims expanding liability theory beyond residential proximity.
Smyrna, Georgia
Sterigenics Cobb County facility — 79-plaintiff group settled $35 million 2023; property devaluation suits 2023 affecting 5,000+ homes per Cobb County Property Assessor; defense verdicts in Fornek v. Sterigenics, Glass v. B. Braun.
Lakewood, Colorado
Terumo BCT Inc. facility — Isaacks et al. v. Terumo BCT, No. 2022CV031124 (Colo. 1st Jud. Dist.), defense verdict March 2025; ~25 additional cases filed during trial; hundreds pending.
Waukegan, Illinois (Lake County)
Medline/Steris Isomedix facility — settled March 1, 2025; ~275 suits in Illinois state court per Nov. 2024 SEC disclosure; mass tort resolution completed; retrial set after Jan. 2026 proceedings before Judge Frank Andreou.

Key defendants

Sterigenics U.S., LLC

Role: Sterilization Facility Operator

Sotera Health Co.

Role: Parent Company

B. Braun Medical Inc.

Role: Medical Device Manufacturer

Harcros Chemicals Inc.

Role: Chemical Manufacturer

Medline Industries, Inc.

Role: Medical Supply Distributor

Becton, Dickinson and Co.

Role: Medical Device Manufacturer

Defendant	Role	Intelligence Note
Sterigenics U.S., LLC	Sterilization Facility Operator	Core defendant in Willowbrook litigation. Paid $408M settlement (Jan. 2023) resolving 870+ claims following $363M Kamuda verdict. Facility shuttered 2019; consent decree allowed reopening under stricter controls but litigation exposure remains in other jurisdictions including New Mexico AG action.
Sotera Health Co.	Parent Company	Sterigenics parent. Jointly liable in Willowbrook settlement. Denied facility posed safety risk while settling to avoid protracted litigation. Exposure extends to consolidated state court mass torts in Illinois and pending New Mexico AG action.
B. Braun Medical Inc.	Medical Device Manufacturer	Allentown, Pennsylvania facility litigation. Mixed verdict posture: settled multiple PA resident claims (Feb. 2025) but secured defense verdict in Glass et al. (Dec. 2024). Continued exposure at operational sterilization sites.
Harcros Chemicals Inc.	Chemical Manufacturer	Kansas City, Kansas facility operator. Facing active class action (Jeffries et al., D. Kan. Oct. 2025) alleging multi-decade emissions of EtO and other carcinogens. Successor liability theories target corporate predecessors including Elementis entities.
Medline Industries, Inc.	Medical Supply Distributor	Lake County/Waukegan, Illinois facility co-defendant with Steris Isomedix. Settled resident claims (Mar. 2025). Previously survived 12(b)(6) challenge in Leslie v. Steris Isomedix (N.D. Ill.) but faced revived claims post-Berry.
Becton, Dickinson and Co.	Medical Device Manufacturer	Covington, Georgia facility litigation. Settled resident claims (Oct. 2025). EPA identified BD Nebraska and Utah facilities as potential heightened cancer risk sites; litigation exposure expanding to additional geographic markets.

Timeline

2016-12
EPA Reassesses EtO Cancer Risk
EPA updates Integrated Risk Information System assessment, concluding ethylene oxide is roughly 30 times more potent as a carcinogen than previously estimated. U.S. EPA, Ethylene Oxide IRIS Assessment.
2018
EPA NATA Identifies High-Risk Zones
EPA's 2018 National Air Toxics Assessment identifies census tracts near Sterigenics Willowbrook as among the highest ethylene oxide cancer-risk zones in the country.
2019-02-15
Illinois EPA Seals Willowbrook Plant
Illinois EPA issues seal order halting all sterilization operations at Sterigenics Willowbrook facility. Plant never reopened; Sterigenics announced permanent closure September 30, 2019.
2020-05-14
Letart EtO Class Action Filed
Mark Letart et al. v. Union Carbide Corp., No. 2:19-cv-00877 (S.D. W. Va. May 14, 2020). District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin denies motion to dismiss class action alleging EtO emissions from Institute, West Virginia facility caused elevated cancer risks.
2022-09-19
First EtO Plaintiff Verdict: $363M
Cook County jury returns $363 million verdict ($38M compensatory, $325M punitive) in Susan Kamuda v. Sterigenics U.S., LLC, et al., first ethylene oxide trial verdict in U.S. history. Judge Marguerite Quinn denies post-trial motions December 19, 2022.
2022-11-18
Defense Verdict in Fornek Trial
Cook County jury returns defense verdict in Margaret Fornek v. Sterigenics U.S., LLC, et al., same court as Kamuda, finding no causation between Willowbrook EtO exposure and plaintiff's leukemia.
2023-01-09
$408M Willowbrook Settlement
Sotera Health announces $408 million settlement resolving 879 ethylene oxide claims in Cook County Circuit Court and N.D. Ill. Approximately 99.7% of eligible claimants accept; average recovery roughly $464,000.
2023-10
Georgia Plaintiffs Settle for $35M
Group of 79 Georgia plaintiffs settles ethylene oxide claims against Sterigenics for $35 million in Quinn Buczek et al. v. Sterigenics U.S., et al.
2024-12
Defense Verdict in Glass v. B. Braun
Jury returns defense verdict in Christopher Glass et al. v. B. Braun Medical Inc., Pennsylvania state court, December 2024.
2025-03
Defense Verdict in Isaacks v. Terumo
Jury returns defense verdict in Lisa Isaacks et al. v. Terumo BCT Inc., Colorado state court, March 2025.
2025-05
$20M Verdict for Truck Driver
Georgia jury awards $20 million compensatory damages to truck driver claiming EtO exposure during stops at sterilization facility; punitive phase declared mistrial. Gary Walker v. Becton Dickinson (BD); CR Bard Inc.
2025-07
Additional Willowbrook Claims Settled
Sterigenics and Sotera Health settle additional Willowbrook claims outside original 2023 settlement, resolving cases filed in 2025. Additional Claims v. Sterigenics U.S., LLC, et al.
2026-03
California Cases Set for Trial
Los Angeles Superior Court denies Sterigenics summary judgment, sets first California ethylene oxide trials for January 25 and April 15, 2027. 15 California Residents v. Sterigenics U.S.

Statute of limitations

⚠ 1 state with critical SOL — act immediately

Illinois

2 years from discovery of injury

Rule: 735 ILCS 5/13-202; discovery rule applies for latent disease claims per Kamuda v. Sterigenics U.S., LLC, Cook County Cir. Ct. (2022)

Discovery: Accrues when plaintiff knows or reasonably should know of injury and its causal connection to EtO exposure

Willowbrook/Sterigenics mass tort settled $408M June 2023; new filings focused on Medline (Waukegan) and other active facilities. No revival statute pending.

Georgia

2 years from injury discovery

Rule: O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33; discovery rule for toxic exposure claims per Smyrna/Covington Sterigenics litigation

Discovery: Accrues upon diagnosis or when causal link to EtO emissions reasonably discoverable

Smyrna facility closed; Covington (BD) remains operational. Defense verdicts in 2024-2025 noted in industry reporting; SOL still running for newly diagnosed.

Pennsylvania

2 years from discovery

Rule: 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 5524(2); discovery rule applies for occupational/environmental disease

Discovery: Accrues when plaintiff knows of injury and its cause

January 2026: Pa. state court declined class certification in EtO litigation per TruLaw update. Individual filings continue. Allentown area facilities active.

Colorado

2 years from discovery of injury

Rule: C.R.S. § 13-80-104(1)(a); discovery rule for toxic torts per Lakewood Sterigenics facility litigation

Discovery: Accrues upon reasonable discovery of injury and causal connection

December 2025: Colorado air regulators advancing April 2026 rulemaking for first state EtO emissions limits. Lakewood facility closed 2019; latency period supports ongoing filings.

California

2 years from discovery

Rule: Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1; discovery rule per Jolly v. Eli Lilly & Co., 751 P.2d 923 (1988)

Discovery: Accrues upon discovery of injury and its cause

Q2 2024: ~15 California residents filed v. Sterigenics U.S. per industry timeline. Facilities in Carson, Santa Teresa region. No revival window open.

⚠New Jersey

2 years from discovery

Rule: N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2; discovery rule for toxic torts per Lavelle v. Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corp., 824 A.2d 797 (2003)

Discovery: Accrues upon reasonable discovery of injury and its causal connection to EtO exposure

2024: Franklin facility became new litigation target with ~25 lawsuits filed. Emerging intake opportunity with recent diagnosis latency.

State	SOL	Rule	Discovery Rule	Notes
Illinois	2 years from discovery of injury	735 ILCS 5/13-202; discovery rule applies for latent disease claims per Kamuda v. Sterigenics U.S., LLC, Cook County Cir. Ct. (2022)	Accrues when plaintiff knows or reasonably should know of injury and its causal connection to EtO exposure	Willowbrook/Sterigenics mass tort settled $408M June 2023; new filings focused on Medline (Waukegan) and other active facilities. No revival statute pending.
Georgia	2 years from injury discovery	O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33; discovery rule for toxic exposure claims per Smyrna/Covington Sterigenics litigation	Accrues upon diagnosis or when causal link to EtO emissions reasonably discoverable	Smyrna facility closed; Covington (BD) remains operational. Defense verdicts in 2024-2025 noted in industry reporting; SOL still running for newly diagnosed.
Pennsylvania	2 years from discovery	42 Pa.C.S.A. § 5524(2); discovery rule applies for occupational/environmental disease	Accrues when plaintiff knows of injury and its cause	January 2026: Pa. state court declined class certification in EtO litigation per TruLaw update. Individual filings continue. Allentown area facilities active.
Colorado	2 years from discovery of injury	C.R.S. § 13-80-104(1)(a); discovery rule for toxic torts per Lakewood Sterigenics facility litigation	Accrues upon reasonable discovery of injury and causal connection	December 2025: Colorado air regulators advancing April 2026 rulemaking for first state EtO emissions limits. Lakewood facility closed 2019; latency period supports ongoing filings.
California	2 years from discovery	Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1; discovery rule per Jolly v. Eli Lilly & Co., 751 P.2d 923 (1988)	Accrues upon discovery of injury and its cause	Q2 2024: ~15 California residents filed v. Sterigenics U.S. per industry timeline. Facilities in Carson, Santa Teresa region. No revival window open.
⚠New Jersey	2 years from discovery	N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2; discovery rule for toxic torts per Lavelle v. Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corp., 824 A.2d 797 (2003)	Accrues upon reasonable discovery of injury and its causal connection to EtO exposure	2024: Franklin facility became new litigation target with ~25 lawsuits filed. Emerging intake opportunity with recent diagnosis latency.

Live intelligence

AI litigation brief

EtO Sterilization remains active litigation category with 78 current signals in the accepted feed.

Overview

Key developments

The Well News news on Aug 10: Unveiling America’s Silent Airborne Hazard: Ethylene Oxide and the Need for Stronger EPA Oversight - The Well News
EPA regulatory on May 20: National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants - Area ...
PubMed research on Aug 11: Linking Air Pollution and Hematologic Malignancies: From Epidemiology to Molecular Mechanisms.

Trajectory

Press and regulatory signals are moving in tandem for EtO Sterilization. The next escalation check is whether these agency actions prompt new PACER filings or MDL scheduling orders.

Editorial intelligence

Editorial coverage should stay tied to source-backed developments and avoid placeholder status copy for EtO Sterilization.

Generated Aug 12, 2026, 2:00 AM UTC

AI Litigation Note

EPA regulatory on Mar 13 for EtO Sterilization. Regulatory developments can change intake posture and motion practice quickly.

Generated Jun 10, 2026, 4:53 AM UTC

Confidence 85%Published Mar 13, 2026, 12:14 PM UTCSource →

No recent court filing signals. Monitoring is active — this section updates automatically.

No recent legislative signals. Monitoring is active — this section updates automatically.

Workbench

LexGenius Ranking

48Score

Fresh items are present but not yet surging

Evidence12 / 20

Momentum19 / 20

Exposure10 / 20

Regulatory12 / 20

Legal11 / 20

Monitoring

Live

monitoring

Last: Aug 12, 2026, 2:00 AM UTC

Next: —

Source Monitoring

PACER

1m 25s

PACER

Pending

Google News

1m 25s

PubMed

26m 25s

EPA

56m 25s

Event feed

events detected

Google NewsPubMedEPA

AI Brief

EtO Sterilization remains active litigation category with 78 current signals in the accepted feed.

Overview

Key developments

Generated Aug 12, 2026, 2:00 AM UTC

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