A Sterigenics plant in Mississauga, now known for emitting ethylene oxide, relocated from Scarborough amid controversy over the gas’s health risks.
Leah Borts-Kuperman and Urbi Khan report for The Narwhal.
In short:
- Sterigenics, linked to cancer in U.S. lawsuits, moved to Mississauga after high ethylene oxide levels were found near its Scarborough plant.
- Mississauga's plant, placed in a largely immigrant area, raises concerns about community exposure to ethylene oxide.
- The company has faced legal action in the U.S. for cancer cases tied to its operations, but its impact on Canadian communities remains unclear.
Key quote:
“If you look at the data that’s associated with ethylene oxide … the levels of impact are still happening at the lowest level. Particularly for workers, the best level is zero. Any level is harmful exposure.”
— Fe de Leon, Canadian Environmental Law Association
Why this matters:
Ethylene oxide emissions pose significant health risks to local residents and workers, and Sterigenics' activities raise questions about the adequacy of regulations protecting communities from exposure. Read more: Ethylene oxide adds to toxic burden for Memphis residents.
