WE DESERVE TO BREATHE CLEAN AIR!
Sterilization Services of Tennessee is releasing cancer-causing toxin ethylene oxide (EtO) into South Memphis
If you’re having problems with the one-click email, click here to get the letter & manually email it.
If you’re having problems with the one-click email, click here to get the letter & manually email it.
If you’re having problems with the one-click email, click here to get the letter & manually email it.
In August 2022, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identified South Memphis as one of the communities with elevated cancer risks after long-term exposure due to a commercial sterilizer facility releasing the cancer-causing toxin ethylene oxide (EtO) into the air. The facility, Sterilization Services of Tennessee, located at 2396 Florida Street, 38109, has been permitted by the Shelby County Health Department’s (SCHD) air program since 1985 but has been operating in South Memphis since 1976, surrounded by single-family homes, churches, schools, and businesses.
A report published on February 7, 2023 by the Union of Concerned Scientists, Invisible Threat: Inequitable Impact, Communities Impacted by Cancer-causing Ethylene Oxide Pollution, finds that based on the most recent publicly-available data, ethylene oxide emissions contribute nearly 82 percent of the overall cancer risk in the census tract that includes Sterilization Services of Tennessee. Eleven percent of the residents in the one-mile ring immediately surrounding the facility are children under age five who are particularly vulnerable to the damage caused by ethylene oxide.
The Shelby County Health Department Director-Health Officer has a duty to issue an emergency order when she “finds that a generalized condition of air pollution exists and that it creates an emergency requiring immediate action to protect human health or safety.” Memphis Muni. Code § 9-12-9(A). We must demand that the Shelby County Health Department Director-Health Officer exercise her emergency power to order the Sterilization Services of Tennessee to immediately begin to make voluntary changes to significantly reduce EtO pollution. We must engage our Shelby County Commissioners, Memphis City Council Members, Shelby County Mayor, and Memphis City Mayor to stand with us and protect the health of the South Memphis Community.
Read More
South Memphis residents push to curb leaks of cancer-causing chemical via MLK50 - 6/7/23
Neighborhood studies next step against cancer-causing chemical via Daily Memphian - 6/3/23
Miles away, years apart: Air pollution steals time from Black communities via Daily Memphian - 5/3/23
County poised to join city to ask facility to reduce cancer-causing emissions via Daily Memphian - 3/9/23
Memphis air pollution study flawed, expert says via Daily Memphian - 2/22/23
Statement Regarding Ethylene Oxide Pollution in South Memphis via Shelby County Health Department - 2/8/23
Scientists gauge Mallory Heights’ cancer risk from EtO via Daily Memphian - 2/7/23
Cancer-causing chemical endangering Memphis due to EPA’s inaction, lawsuit alleges via Daily Memphian - 1/14/23
In South Memphis, residents cope with toxic chemical pollution as EPA investigates via Tennessee Lookout - 10/13/22
EPA to Hold Open Houses and Community Meetings for Memphis Residents about Health Risks
from Ethylene Oxide via EPA - 10/11/22
EPA Launches Community Engagement Efforts on New Ethylene Oxide Risk Information via EPA - 8/3/22
City of Memphis response to EPA ethylene oxide announcement (independent air sample results ordered by Mayor Strickland via City of Memphis 8/3/22