Air Toxins killing people!!

Belvidere rd, Gurnee IL

Description

The EPA's National Air Toxics Assessment (NATA) study found a high concentration of Ethylene Oxide in the Gurnee and Waukegan area. Ethylene Oxide (or EtO) is a human carcinogen that has been shown to cause cancers of the white blood cells, including non-Hodgkin lymphoma, myeloma, and lymphocytic leukemia. The EPA found that some Lake County residents are at an increased risk of cancer. Specifically, the EPA estimates that these levels of EtO emissions have a cancer risk of up to 200 in 1 million—six times the national average. The alleged source of the EtO contamination identified by the EPA is the Vantage plant in Gurnee as well as a Medline facility in Waukegan. Ethylene Oxide is used to manufacture chemicals for various industries including fragrances, shampoos, and cosmetics and is largely used in the medical industry to sterilize equipment and supplies. When EtO is produced or used, some of the gas is released into the air and water.