Residents of southwest Memphis have learned about the long-term release of ethylene oxide by a local sterilization facility, raising health and environmental concerns.
Andy Miller reports for KFF Health News.
In short:
- Sterilization Services of Tennessee has emitted high levels of ethylene oxide since the 1970s, affecting the predominantly Black community in southwest Memphis.
- Local residents attribute various health issues, including cancer, to the exposure to this toxic gas, with recent scientific studies supporting their concerns.
- Despite plans to close the facility, community advocates remain wary about ongoing pollution and demand more stringent regulatory measures.
Key quote:
"I used to be outside a lot. I was in good health. All of a sudden, I got breast cancer."
— Rose Sims, local resident
Why this matters:
Ethylene oxide is classified as a carcinogen by the Environmental Protection Agency, and its presence in the air raises the risk of breast cancer and lymphomas. Communities living in proximity to facilities that emit ethylene oxide, like those surrounding Sterilization Services of Tennessee, are thus exposed to elevated health risks. This has sparked a broader dialogue about the need for stringent regulatory oversight to protect vulnerable communities from the disproportionate impact of industrial pollution.
