Illinois State Senate District 41 issued the following announcement on Sept. 13.
The use of ethylene oxide (EtO) for sterilization could soon be banned in heavily-populated areas, as part of new bipartisan legislation co-sponsored by State Sen. John Curran (R-Downers Grove) along with several other lawmakers from both sides of the aisle.
“This is a positive step forward to have a bipartisan group of lawmakers working together to advance our long-sought ban on the use of ethylene oxide sterilization in heavily populated areas,” said Curran. “This will enable us to finally protect public health in Willowbrook. The industrial use of this deadly gas has no place near schools, homes, and public spaces.”
House Bill 3888 would ban the use of ethylene oxide for sterilization in heavily populated areas starting in 2021. It would ban the use of the deadly EtO gas by hospitals in heavily populated areas in 2022.
The legislation was the result of continued negotiations and work by Senator Curran and a bipartisan group of legislators, along with the Illinois Environmental Council and the “Stop Sterigenics” community group. The group’s goal is to pass the legislation during the fall veto session which begins on October 28th.
“I look forward to advocating for this legislation, along with additional EtO legislation filed recently by Leader Durkin, during the upcoming fall veto session,” said Curran.
Original source can be found here.
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