Linden, NJ EtO Sterilization-Plant #2 Lawsuits

Diagnosed with Cancer After Exposure to Ethylene Oxide Emissions in Linden, NJ?

Levy Konigsberg is reviewing claims from victims who were diagnosed with cancer and other illnesses caused by harmful emissions from a spice sterilization plant in Linden, New Jersey.

The ETO Sterilization-Plant #2 facility has been identified by the EPA as one of several commercial sterilizers in the country with the most concerning levels of cancer risks to nearby communities caused by the release of ethylene oxide (EtO), a cancer-causing gas.

If you lived or worked near ETO Sterilization-Plant #2 and were diagnosed with blood cancer, breast cancer, or another type of cancer or health condition, you may be entitled to compensation.

Levy Konigsberg is known nationally for litigating some of the country’s biggest and most complex toxic exposure cases and is now focusing our efforts on EtO exposure lawsuits. To request a FREE review of your case, call (800) 315-3806 or contact us online.

EtO Exposure at the ETO Sterilization-Plant #2 Facility

ETO Sterilization-Plant #2, also called the Cosmed-ETO Sterilization-Plant #2, is a facility located at 2500 Brunswick Avenue in Linden, New Jersey.

Opened in 1986, the facility sterilizes agricultural products such as spices and nuts using four separate sterilizers (two installed in 1986, one in 1988, and one in 2000). Like other commercial sterilizers that treat these products, the Linden plant uses ethylene oxide (EtO), a fumigant gas the EPA identified in 2018 as a likely cause of cancer for people living nearby. In 2020, the plant used 21.9 tons of EtO.

In 2022, the EPA conducted a risk assessment of the facility and identified an elevated cancer risk in nearby communities of Linden and Elizabeth, NJ due to its release of EtO.

Some important facts from the EPA:

• The ETO Sterilization-Plant #2 in Linden is one of 23 commercial sterilizers with the highest cancer risk levels of EtO emissions in the country.
• A map of the EPA’s estimates of lifetime cancer risks from EtO near the Linden plant shows that there is an estimated 100 in a million or greater cancer risk from breathing air near the facility, which means that if 1 million people were exposed to this level of EtO for a period of years, 100 people would be expected to develop cancer from the exposure.
• The EPA held a series of Community Meetings to help residents of Linden and Elizabeth, New Jersey understand the risks posed by the plant. These meetings also noted that workers at the plants, as well as workers at other facilities in the industrial area where the plant is located, are also exposed to higher levels of EtO.

Because of the risks identified in the EPA’s risk assessment, the EPA has partnered with the State of New Jersey on efforts to reduce emissions from the Linden plant. This includes reviewing controls on equipment and processes which emit EtO, evaluating current air pollution controls, examining new developments and technologies, and implementing new regulations.

The Risks of EtO Exposure in Linden and Elizabeth, NJ

In recent years, growing scientific evidence has shown that exposure to a colorless, odorless gas called ethylene oxide (EtO) can increase a person’s risks of developing cancer. This chemical is used primarily to sterilize spices, medical devices, and other products that cannot be sterilized using steam.

According to the EPA, there are over 100 commercial sterilization companies across the country that use EtO in their sterilization process and release EtO in emissions from their plants. Airborne EtO poses the greatest risks to residents near these facilities, workers at nearby businesses, and workers at the facilities themselves.

Just how dangerous is EtO in the air? Here are some key facts about EtO emissions and health risks, according to the EPA:

• Increased cancer risks. Long-term exposure to EtO can cause non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, myeloma, lymphocytic leukemia, breast cancer, and other types of cancers.
• Risks to children. Research suggests that children are more susceptible to EtO exposure than adults and are more likely to develop cancer later in life.
• Other health conditions. Chronic EtO exposure has been associated with physical and neurological symptoms such as memory loss, cognitive impairment, nerve damage, and reproductive harm.

Learn more about EtO and ethylene oxide lawsuits.

Do I Have a Case?

Given that ETO Sterilization-Plant #2 is one of the worst facilities in the nation in terms of cancer risks caused by EtO emissions, people who live or work in areas of Linden and Elizabeth, New Jersey face elevated risks of developing cancers and other serious health conditions because of their exposure.

You may have grounds to pursue legal action and financial compensation for your losses if you or someone you love were diagnosed with cancer or another health condition and:

• Lived near ETO Sterilization-Plant #2;
• Worked at ETO Sterilization-Plant #2; or
• Lived or worked in nearby Linden or Elizabeth, NJ.

Ethylene oxide lawsuits are complex claims that demand meticulous investigation. Our attorneys at Levy Konigsberg can help evaluate your options after reviewing the specific facts of your situation.

Call For a FREE Consultation: (800) 315-3806

Levy Konigsberg is a U.S. News’ “Best Law Firms” ranked trial practice that has recovered over $3 billion in compensation for clients. We’ve earned a reputation for taking on the nation’s toughest cases and have excelled in litigating high-profile toxic exposure lawsuits on behalf of thousands of clients.

Our team represents victims across the country from our offices in New York, New Jersey, and other states. To request a FREE consultation, contact us today.