When a cancer diagnosis strikes you or a loved one, it can be devastating. Suddenly, all the dreams and plans you’ve been working towards seem in jeopardy. It can be upsetting and stressful to receive a cancer diagnosis, and the situation is further aggravated when the diagnosis is related to preventable exposure to hazardous chemicals like Ethylene Oxide. According to government sources, people exposed to Ethylene Oxide are at an increased risk of getting certain cancers, including myeloma, lymphocytic leukemia, breast cancer, and Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Are you an employee or resident living near a facility that uses or emits Ethylene Oxide? If so, you may be at an increased risk of developing certain types of cancer. Despite the numerous warnings issued by government agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency, corporations continue to use Ethylene Oxide daily for its cost-effectiveness. Unfortunately, this puts workers and residents like you at risk of potential exposure to this dangerous chemical. If you or someone you know has developed cancer due to Ethylene Oxide exposure, you may be eligible to hold these corporations liable for the damages. Don’t wait any longer—contact our ethylene oxide exposure attorneys today for a free consultation to learn about your options.
“EtO is 60 times more dangerous for children and 30 times more dangerous for adults…” The EPA is currently conducting a registration review for ethylene oxide (EtO), a pesticide that is used to disinfect surgical tools and in manufacturing. It’s a pesticide that is often used in the sterilization process of surgical equipment and manufacturing. It is odorless and colorless. In the US, up to half of all surgical tools pass through EtO sterilization. Until recently, the EPA allowed manufacturers to use ethylene oxide up to certain levels. However, recent research has raised concerns about EtO’s potential to cause cancer, prompting the EPA to revise its guidelines in 2016, concluding that EtO is 60 times more dangerous for children and 30 times more dangerous for adults than previously believed. To ensure the safety of those using EtO, the EPA is undergoing a registration review process for the pesticide. The registration review process is conducted every 16 years for all pesticides and will help the EPA determine if EtO should continue to be used.
People can be exposed to EtO in different ways, depending on how close they are to where the chemical is released. Workers who are around EtO can breathe it in, and residents near EtO-releasing facilities can be exposed to it in the air. EtO can also stay in water and food that has been treated with the chemical.
Those living near factories and plants that release EtO into the atmosphere are vulnerable to developing serious health effects over time. While the concentration in the outside air is typically too low to cause immediate symptoms, research indicates that long-term exposure can cause cancers of the white blood cells, including myeloma, lymphoma, lymphocytic leukemia, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Furthermore, women may be at increased risk of developing breast cancer if exposed to EtO regularly. Children are at a greater risk of the effects of EtO exposure.
Because ethylene oxide is a known carcinogen, short-term exposure to ethylene oxide can cause a range of symptoms, from headaches and dizziness to nausea, fatigue, coughing, and difficulty breathing. In some cases, it can also lead to vomiting and gastrointestinal distress.
Long-term exposure to EtO has been linked with an increased risk of cancer, including myeloma, lymphocytic leukemia, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
There’s strong evidence that exposure to ethylene oxide can increase a person’s risk of developing various types of cancer, including cancers of the brain, bladder, kidney, prostate, ovarian, stomach, breast, and pancreas.
Residents living in the following areas may be at an increased risk of exposure to Ethylene Oxide:
The EPA uses a tool to measure the potential for a certain chemical to cause cancer and other diseases. This tool looks at how many people in a certain area are exposed to the chemical and how likely they are to develop a disease. If more than 100 people in a million are exposed and have a greater than 100 in 1 million chance of developing a disease, the EPA considers the area at risk for EtO exposure.
We are here to help.
There are quite a few companies that operate commercial sterilization facilities that use or emit EtO, including:
There are many companies that pose a potential threat of EtO exposure, but not every facility operated by each company is a threat. In fact, many of them have multiple locations, and only a select few are known to emit ethylene oxide at potentially hazardous levels.
Are you concerned that your cancer diagnosis might be linked to exposure to Ethylene Oxide? If so, and you can find a connection between your diagnosis and exposure to EtO, the company responsible for the exposure may also be held accountable. Right now, there are multiple class action lawsuits in progress regarding EtO—and many more could be on the horizon. So it’s important to be aware of your rights and have the right legal team on your side.
If you’re ready to hire an experienced EtO cancer attorney for your ethylene oxide lawsuit—or just learn more about your legal rights and options—the next step is a free consultation with Console & Associates, P.C. Call 866-778-5500 today or contact us online to get started.
When you’re facing the financial burden of a cancer battle, shelling out thousands of dollars for professional legal representation isn’t an option. Your ability to hold the company accountable and receive the compensation you need shouldn’t depend on your ability to pay for legal services during this already difficult time.
That’s why experienced ethylene oxide exposure attorneys are currently handling claims like yours on a no-win, no-fee basis. You only ever have to pay for our services if and when we succeed in getting compensation for you (and you’ll only owe a fraction of the money we were able to get you).
