Sterigenics Lawsuit Atlanta | Smyrna Sterigenics Ethylene Oxide Claims [2026 Update]

Sterigenics, a medical sterilization company owned by Sotera Health LLC, operates a facility in Smyrna, Georgia, within Cobb County.

This plant utilizes ethylene oxide (EtO), a chemical classified as a human carcinogen by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to sterilize medical equipment.

In 2019, reports revealed that the facility had been emitting significant levels of EtO, raising concerns about potential health risks for nearby residents and workers.

In response to these findings, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) approved plans for Sterigenics to install new anti-pollution controls aimed at significantly reducing EtO emissions from the Smyrna facility.

Despite these measures, community apprehension persisted, leading to lawsuits against the company.

In October 2023, Sterigenics agreed to a $35 million settlement to resolve 79 claims filed by Cobb County residents who alleged that EtO emissions from the plant caused health issues, including various cancers. ​

Sterigenics has maintained that its operations did not pose a safety risk to the surrounding community and that they were in compliance with federal and state regulations.

A Sterigenics statement emphasized that the settlement was not an admission of liability but a strategic decision to avoid prolonged litigation.

Cobb County officials have been actively involved in monitoring the situation, attempting to ensure that the facility adheres to safety and compliance standards to protect public health.

Our law firm is actively investigating claims against the Sterigenics plant in Smyrna for indiviudals who were exposed to ethylene oxide emissions and developed related health problems, including cancer.

Contact TorHoerman Law today for a free consultation, or use the chat feature on this page to find out if you qualify to join the Ethylene Oxide Exposure Lawsuit instantly.

Ethylene Oxide Emission Levels at the Smyrna Sterigenics Plant

The EPA’s 2018 National Air Toxics Assessment (NATA) identified the Sterigenics facility in Smyrna, Georgia as a potential high-risk area for ethylene oxide (EtO) exposure.

The Georgia Environmental Protection Division (GA EPD) conducted modeling in 2019, confirming EtO emissions exceeded acceptable risk levels, even after Sterigenics proposed emission control upgrades.

Ambient air monitoring conducted around the Smyrna facility detected EtO levels ranging from 0.21 to 3.6 micrograms per cubic meter.

For context, the EPA considers 0.02 micrograms per cubic meter as the level of EtO in the air that, over many years, could cause 100 additional cancer cases per 1 million people. ​

Regulatory agencies have inspected Sterigenics’ operations and compliance history, with detailed reports available through GA EPD and the EPA’s Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO) database.

Despite emission control upgrades, community concerns persist, and the EPA is developing new risk estimates for EtO sterilization facilities nationwide, aiming to strengthen regulatory oversight.

Who is at Risk of Exposure to Ethylene Oxide Emissions in Smyrna and the Metro Atlanta Area?

The Sterigenics Cobb County plant, located at 2971 Olympic Industrial Dr SE #116, Atlanta, GA 30339, has been a focal point of environmental health discussions due to its ethylene oxide (EtO) emissions.

In August 2018, the EPA’s National Air Toxics Assessment (NATA) identified several census tracts near this facility with potentially elevated cancer risks associated with continuous EtO exposure over a 70-year period.

Individuals residing or working within a one-mile radius of the Sterigenics facility, encompassing parts of Smyrna, Vinings, and nearby Atlanta neighborhoods, may have experienced elevated EtO exposure levels.

While the Sterigenics facility has implemented measures to reduce EtO emissions, historical data indicates that individuals within the immediate vicinity, particularly within a one-mile radius, may have been at an increased risk of EtO exposure.

Long-term exposure to ethylene oxide (EtO) has been associated with an increased risk of severe health conditions, particularly various cancers and neurological disorders.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies EtO as a human carcinogen, with studies showing a strong correlation between chronic exposure and elevated cancer rates in both workers and nearby residents.

Individuals who have lived or worked near sterilization facilities emitting EtO may face heightened risks of developing breast cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, and other serious illnesses.

EtO exposure can cause immune system suppression, reproductive toxicity, and genetic damage, leading to long-term health complications.

Workers in sterilization plants, industrial employees, and community members exposed to airborne EtO are among those most at risk.

Medical Conditions Linked to EtO Exposure:

• Breast cancer
• Lymphohematopoietic cancers (lymphocytic leukemia, lymphoid cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, multiple myeloma, Hodgkin lymphoma)
• Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
• Neurological effects (dizziness, cognitive impairment, memory loss, headaches, peripheral neuropathy)
• Reproductive toxicity (miscarriages, infertility, birth defects)
• Immune system suppression
• Genetic mutations and cellular damage

Symptoms of Exposure to Ethylene Oxide

Exposure to ethylene oxide (EtO) can cause a range of symptoms, from acute respiratory irritation to long-term neurological and immune system effects.

Individuals exposed to high EtO levels in industrial settings or communities near sterilization facilities may experience both immediate and chronic health issues.

Short-term symptoms often include respiratory distress, skin irritation, and dizziness, while prolonged exposure has been linked to memory loss, impaired coordination, and nerve damage.

Over time, EtO exposure may weaken the immune system, increasing susceptibility to infections and other serious health conditions.

Workers and residents living near EtO-emitting facilities should be aware of these symptoms and seek medical attention if they experience ongoing health issues.

Common Symptoms of EtO Exposure:

• Respiratory irritation (coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath)
• Eye and skin irritation (burning, redness, rashes)
• Headaches and dizziness
• Memory loss and cognitive impairment
• Impaired coordination and balance issues
• Peripheral neuropathy (numbness, tingling, muscle weakness)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fatigue and general weakness

You may qualify for a Sterigenics Atlanta lawsuit if you lived, worked, or attended school near the Smyrna facility and have since been diagnosed with breast cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, or another serious illness linked to ethylene oxide (EtO) exposure.

The Cobb County plant was found to have released EtO emissions at levels exceeding health safety thresholds, putting nearby residents and workers at increased risk.

Lawsuits allege that Sterigenics and its parent company, Sotera Health LLC, failed to warn the public, violated regulatory requirements, and allowed dangerous levels of a known carcinogen to persist in the community.

To determine your eligibility, legal teams will review your medical history, proximity to the plant, duration of exposure, and other supporting evidence.

Both individual injury claims and wrongful death lawsuits are being evaluated.

TorHoerman Law’s Atlanta office is currently reviewing cases and offering free consultations for those affected.

Our attorneys are helping to gather evidence to build strong cases, and assess damages to make sure that plaintiffs have the best chances of receiving adequate compensation.

Gathering Evidence for an Ethylene Oxide Exposure Claim

To support an ethylene oxide (EtO) exposure claim, individuals must provide evidence and documentation that connects their medical condition to toxic emissions from a facility like Sterigenics in Smyrna.

This includes medical records, proof of residence or employment near the facility, and scientific or regulatory data showing elevated EtO levels in the area.

Our attorneys can help collect and organize the necessary evidence to build a strong case.

Evidence in a case may include:

• Medical records confirming diagnosis (e.g., breast cancer, leukemia, lymphoma)
• Proof of residence, school, or workplace location near the Sterigenics facility
• Employment history showing direct EtO exposure
• Air monitoring data and emissions reports from the EPA or Georgia EPD
• Regulatory violations or consent orders involving Sterigenics
• Expert testimony from medical, environmental, or toxicology professionals
• Personal statements and witness accounts of symptoms or exposure history

Damages in Ethylene Oxide Exposure Lawsuits

In a lawsuit, damages refer to the financial compensation awarded to individuals who have suffered physical, emotional, or economic harm due to someone else’s negligence.

In Ethylene Oxide Exposure Lawsuits, damages are sought to address the medical, financial, and personal losses resulting from cancer or other serious health conditions linked to toxic emissions.

Victims may be entitled to compensation for both economic costs (like medical bills and lost income) and non-economic losses (like pain, suffering, and loss of quality of life).

Types of Damages That May Be Recovered:

• Medical expenses (treatment, hospitalization, medications, ongoing care)
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity due to illness or disability
• Pain and suffering from physical and emotional trauma
• Wrongful death damages for families who lost a loved one to EtO-related illness
• Future medical costs for long-term treatment and rehabilitation
• Loss of quality of life resulting from permanent health impacts

If you believe exposure to EtO has caused your illness, an experienced attorney can help calculate your damages and pursue fair compensation.

Past Lawsuits for Ethylene Oxide Exposure

Several high-profile lawsuits have been filed across the country against companies accused of emitting dangerous levels of ethylene oxide (EtO) into nearby communities.

One of the most significant cases involved the Sterigenics Willowbrook Facility in Illinois, which faced intense public scrutiny and legal action after reports linked its EtO emissions to increased cancer rates in the surrounding area.

In 2022, a Cook County jury awarded $363 million to a plaintiff who developed breast cancer after years of exposure to EtO from the Willowbrook plant.

That verdict set a precedent, leading to a $408 million global settlement in early 2023, resolving hundreds of lawsuits from other Illinois residents.

In Georgia, Sterigenics agreed to settle 79 lawsuits for $35 million in 2023, compensating Cobb County residents who claimed their cancers were caused by toxic EtO emissions from the company’s Smyrna facility.

These cases underscore the serious health risks associated with EtO and the growing legal momentum to hold companies accountable.

Plaintiffs allege that companies like Sterigenics failed to warn the public, ignored well-established scientific evidence, and allowed dangerous exposure to continue for years.

As lawsuits continue to be filed in multiple states, courts are recognizing the real and lasting harm caused by long-term EtO exposure.

If you were exposed to EtO near a sterilization facility and have been diagnosed with cancer or another serious illness, you may have grounds for a lawsuit.

Contact TorHoerman Law to find out if you qualify.

TorHoerman Law is actively accepting clients who lived, worked, or spent significant time near the Sterigenics facility in Smyrna, Georgia and have since been diagnosed with cancer or other serious health conditions linked to ethylene oxide (EtO) exposure.

We have decades of experience holding large corporations accountable for environmental and public health violations.

If you’ve been affected, you may be eligible to seek compensation for medical bills, lost income, and personal suffering.

Contact TorHoerman Law today for a free, no-obligation case evaluation.

Use the chat feature on this page to find out if you qualify for a Sterigenics Lawsuit Atlanta instantly.