Two cities in New Jersey have a high risk of getting cancer: chemicals in the air are to blame
'12.08.2022'
Nadezhda Verbitskaya
The Environmental Protection Agency warns that residents living near medical sterilization facilities in two New Jersey municipalities are at increased risk of developing cancer, reports New Jersey 101.5
Ethylene oxide, or EtO, is a colorless and flammable gas. This chemical is commonly used to make products such as antifreeze and plastic bottles. And also to sterilize 20 billion pieces of medical equipment annually.
This gas, often odorless, poses a health hazard to anyone who is constantly exposed to it for several years.
Creates an increased risk of developing blood and breast cancer
One facility in New Jersey using EtO to sterilize medical equipment is in Sussex County. Cosmed Group Inc. located in a rural area in the Franklin area, north of Highway 94.
The other one is located in Linden and is called EtO Sterilization Plant #2.
Maps provided by the EPA show estimates of cancer risk from EtO in areas around the two sites.
The blue area shows a risk of 100 per million or more from breathing air containing EtO.
“A lifetime cancer risk of 100 per million means that if 1 million people were exposed to this level of EtO in the air 24 hours a day for 70 years, then 100 people could develop cancer,” according to the EPA.
On the subject: Scientists have discovered a previously unknown part of the lungs in a person: it can help in the treatment of respiratory diseases
The EPA plans to hold virtual meetings in September for Linden, the Franklin area, and 21 other communities across the country and Puerto Rico. EPA administrator Michael Regan said the meetings are a way to keep these communities informed about the agency's efforts to combat EtO.
“Under my leadership, EPA will do everything possible to share important information about the risk of exposure with people who need and deserve this information, and take action to protect against contamination,” Regan said.
The agency is working to confirm specific dates for public meetings in the coming weeks.
