Scientists & Legal Experts to Update Community
Event to Feature Question & Answer Session, Community Next Steps
LAREDO, TX – This Thursday evening, RGISC and Clean Air Laredo Coalition will host a community gathering with experts to provide critical updates on ongoing health concerns related to ethylene oxide (EtO) emissions affecting our community.
Scientists and attorneys from Massachusetts, New Orleans and Washington, D.C will provide details on a seven week Laredo air monitoring study around the fenceline of Midwest Sterilization Corp. and legal updates related to U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rules on this cancer-causing air toxic.
Midwest Sterilization Laredo still ranks among the most polluting facilities in the nation, releasing thousands of pounds of EtO, a Class 1 human carcinogen, into the air every year. These emissions have elevated cancer level risks in Laredo to some of the highest in the United States.
"Every breath we take should not come with the risk of cancer. This is a matter of public health, safety, and justice for our children, our families, and the future of our community." said Edgar Villasenor, RGISC Advocacy Campaign Manager.
Villasenor worked with nearly 100 volunteers who put up thousands of flyers in 13 subdivisions in north and northwest Laredo, in advance of the Thursday townhall.
“There is no acceptable amount of carcinogenic gas that a child should breathe,” said volunteer Angel Olmos of Nopal, a community-based volunteer organization. “We need to stay informed to make change on this ethylene oxide threat.”
EtO is an odorless and colorless gas; it one of the most dangerous air pollutants regulated by the EPA, known for its mutagenic properties and significant health risks.
Alarmingly, 22 campuses in Laredo rank in the top 3 percentile nationwide for industrial toxic air pollution with two schools - Muller ES and Ramirez MS - in the top 1 percentile, according to the interactive tool “Air Toxics at School” by the Political Economy Research Institute at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. These Laredo rankings are driven by emissions from the Laredo sterilization facility.
”Let’s protect the people and especially the children!,”said District VII Councilmember Vanessa Perez.
This event will feature a comprehensive presentation on the air study data analysis and how Laredo compares to other cities affected by ethylene oxide.
Key Speakers:
“We urge all community members to participate in this crucial town hall to learn, raise questions, and advocate for our right to clean air and a healthy environment for our children and families,” Villasenor said. “Join us in the fight for our health. Together, we can make a difference!”
On Tuesday evening, Oct 17, at 6:30pm, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) will hold a hearing at the TAMIU Recital Hall (fine and performing arts center) regarding an air permit renewal requested by Midwest Sterilization Corp.
For the first time, community members will be able to voice their concerns and ask the state environmental agency and Missouri-based sterilization company questions about their air permit renewal, which is required for use of the dangerous air toxin to sterilize medical equipment.
Midwest submitted their request to the state agency in February, asking to emit more than three tons of ethylene oxide per year into the Laredo air. The company can only renew its permit once every 10 years.
After opening its Laredo facility in 2005, Midwest Sterilization has ranked among the country’s highest polluters of ethylene oxide; last summer, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ranked the Laredo facility among the top 23 high risk sterilizer facilities in the United States and has revealed significantly high cancer level risks in Laredo because of this air toxic.
The TCEQ will decide whether to open a contested case hearing against Midwest if Laredo meets certain criteria for “affected persons.”
The Oct. 17 hearing will be divided in two parts:
Individuals can come forward as potentially affected persons by submitting comments in writing anytime before the October 17 hearing, or during the Formal Comment period at the actual hearing. Comments can be sent electronically before the hearing by clicking here: https://www14.tceq.texas.gov/epic/eComment/ (enter Permit Number 55557).
About Ethylene oxide (EtO)
EtO is a Level 1 carcinogenic gas used in Laredo to sterilize medical equipment. It is mutagenic meaning that it causes damage to a cell’s DNA. The EPA has classified it as one of the most hazardous air toxins that pose the greatest health threat in urban areas. In 2016, the EPA found that EtO is 60 times more toxic to children and 30 times more toxic to adults than previously estimated.
WHO: Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
WHAT: Public Hearing - Air Permit Renewal for Midwest Sterilization Corp.
DATE: Tuesday, October 17
TIME: 6:30 pm
WHERE: Texas A&M International University Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Recital Hall (5201 University Blvd., 78041)
DETAILS: Free and open to the public.
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Unanimous vote awarded 35k to obtain ethylene oxide emissions data in effort to protect health and safety of Laredoans
LAREDO, TX - On Monday, the Webb County Commissioners Court approved $35,000 to launch air monitoring for ethylene oxide (EtO) at one northwest location identified by the Clean Air Laredo Coalition. This vote comes less than one week after United Independent School District (UISD) trustees voted to begin air monitoring at a Laredo school campus, making Webb County the second entity to take initial steps to monitor EtO emissions. This important act will collect hard data to determine actual risks to public health in the community.
The historic vote took place after a presentation by members of the Clean Air Laredo Coalition and the Rio Grande International Study Center (RGISC). Recognizing the need to test for EtO in the area, County Commissioner John Galo said, “If you’re exposed 300 days out of the year versus 10 days out of the year, your risk is much higher, and those people need to know that.” County Judge Tano Tijerina made the motion which was approved unanimously by the court and met by loud applause from the court audience.
UISD Trustee Aliza Oliveros and Coalition member, who attended the commissioners court meeting spoke to the court, saying “we are all concerned about the quality of the air we breathe. As a private citizen, not only am I concerned for myself, but I am concerned for my family members and concerned for the youth of this community, and so I plead for this court to step up to the plate and join United ISD in this task.”
Victor Treviño Jr., attorney and Coalition member, again spoke about the racial disparities and environmental justice impacts Laredo faces as a Latino community. “The decision by the County to contribute funding for the monitoring of ethylene oxide is a monumental step to what historically has been a lack of regulatory protection from our State and Federal government.” Treviño said. “This is the definition of community empowerment.”
County Commissioner Cindy Liendo and Coalition member, who represents Precinct 4, placed this item on the agenda, saying “I know that our residents throughout the county are very concerned about [the reports of EtO emissions]” and advocated for the expenditure. Following the Court's vote, Liendo said “I’m so proud of the work that the Clean Air Laredo Coalition has done and grateful to the Commissioners Court for taking action to ensure our community can feel safe about the air we breathe.”
The Clean Air Laredo Coalition will be the vehicle to test schools that are most at risk of EtO exposure. Muller Elementary, located in Laredo, ranks in the top 1% for air toxicity among all schools in the United States, according to an air toxics study by the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, last updated in 2019. Alarmingly, the latest data from the EPA Toxic Release Inventory shows that Midwest Sterilization has doubled the amount of EtO emissions from 2020 to 2021 to 12,085 pounds/year, exposing the need for the Court’s action.
Melissa Cigarroa, Coalition and RGISC Board member, also spoke at Monday’s meeting. “This vote today is a win for public health. We know that EtO is a cancer-causing chemical, and we know that alternatives exist for some, if not most, of the products being sterilized. Laredoans demand to know what their exposure to this dangerous chemical actually is.”
Sheila Serna, RGISC Climate Science and Policy Director, said “We hope this victory will not only raise more awareness, but also garner more support towards our mission to protect both current and future generations of Laredo.”
Midwest opened its Laredo plant in 2005 and has become one of the top industrial air polluters in the U.S. It has emitted nearly 200,000 pounds of EtO into the Laredo air, according to self-reported company data from 2005 to 2020. Both of its plants - Laredo, TX and Jackson, MO - made the EPA’s list of 23 high priority sterilizer facilities earlier this month.
EtO is a mutagenic DNA-damaging chemical. Long-term exposure has been linked to an increased risk of cancer of the white blood cells like non-Hodgkin lymphoma, lymphocytic leukemia, and myeloma as well as breast cancer. A 2016 EPA report found that ethylene oxide is 60 times more toxic to children and 30 times more toxic to adults than previously estimated.
Unanimous vote allows school district to acquire hard data on ethylene oxide emissions, in effort to protect health and safety of students and staff
LAREDO, TX - On Wednesday evening, United Independent School District (UISD) trustees took the historic step of approving air monitoring to detect ethylene oxide (EtO) at school campuses, making UISD the first South Texas entity to take this extraordinary measure to ensure the health and safety of its children and staff. Trustees agreed to start with one campus and build from there.
Several UISD trustees stand with members of the Clean Air Laredo Coalition after unanimous Wednesday vote. (L-R: Trustee Javier Montemayor, Victor Treviño Jr., Ethel Perez, Edna Jimenez, Melissa R. Cigarroa, Sheila Serna, Bobby Santos, Trustee Frank Castillo, Salo Otero, JoAnn Piland-Otero, Trustee Aliza Flores, Tricia Cortez).
The UISD vote took place after a presentation by members of the Clean Air Laredo Coalition and Rio Grande International Study Center (RGISC).
Trustee Frank Castillo, who represents District 7 and is a Coalition member, said that he co-sponsored and voted for the item because “it’s important that we try to ensure that our children and staff are healthy and safe, particularly when attending school.”
UISD Trustee Aliza Oliveros, who represents District 3 and is also a Coalition member, agreed. “As one of the essential stakeholders in this battle against pollution, we are more than willing to take a leadership role to protect the safety and well-being of our children and staff,” Oliveros said.
Victor Treviño Jr., attorney and Coalition member, urged trustees to approve the item and pointed out extreme racial disparities in communities like Laredo that are carrying the burden of significant air pollution and elevated cancer risks from industry.
“Knowing that our community is medically underserved, the duty to protect our families from harmful pollution falls on us,” Treviño said. “It should be a basic human right to have clean air. I commend the UISD Board for their leadership in what I believe to be one of the first ethylene oxide surveillance programs of this type along the border.”
UISD trustees agreed to begin the air monitoring process with Muller Elementary, the campus most impacted by its proximity to Midwest Sterilization Corp. The Missouri-based company has continued to emit thousands of pounds of the highly carcinogenic toxin into the Laredo air annually. Muller Elementary ranks in the top 1% for air toxicity among all schools in the United States, according to an air toxics study by the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
Ethel Perez, Salo Otero and Jo Ann Piland-Otero, Coalition members and residents of the impacted La Bota Ranch nighborhood, attended the meeting and “applauded” the proactive measure taken by trustees.
“This support and leadership is a beautiful example of true public service for the most vulnerable: our children.” Piland-Otero said.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has come under increasing pressure from community groups in Laredo and in other states to quickly pass stricter rules to reduce EtO emissions. They will hold a community-wide meeting in Laredo to discuss elevated cancer risks on Sept. 15.
At the request of the City of Laredo, the state’s health agency completed a cancer occurrence study in Laredo in three census tracts closest to Midwest for four specific cancers and found elevated levels of non-Hodgkins lymphoma, and agreed to continue the study in the next three census tracts.
Sheila Serna, RGISC Climate Science and Policy Director, said last night’s vote by the school district is “a step in the right direction. UISD is taking the health of their children as a priority. Now we need the commitment of the city and county. Together, we can find a critical solution to this public health problem in Laredo.”
Serna has reached out to Midwest executives in Missouri to discuss potential solutions. Company officials have not responded to her requests for a meeting.
Midwest opened its Laredo plant in 2005 and has become one of the top industrial air polluters in the U.S. It has emitted nearly 200,000 pounds of EtO into the Laredo air, according to self-reported company data from 2005 to 2020. Both of its plants - Laredo, TX and Jackson, MO - made the EPA’s list of 23 high priority sterilizer facilities earlier this month.
EtO is a mutagenic DNA-damaging chemical. Long-term exposure has been linked to an increased risk of cancer of the white blood cells like non-Hodgkin lymphoma, lymphocytic leukemia, and myeloma as well as breast cancer. A 2016 EPA report found that ethylene oxide is 60 times more toxic to children and 30 times more toxic to adults than previously estimated.
Photo caption: Several UISD trustees stand with members of the Clean Air Laredo Coalition after unanimous Wednesday vote. (L-R: Trustee Javier Montemayor, Victor Treviño Jr., Ethel Perez, Edna Jimenez, Melissa R. Cigarroa, Sheila Serna, Bobby Santos, Trustee Frank Castillo, Salo Otero, JoAnn Piland-Otero, Trustee Aliza Flores, Tricia Cortez).
