Skip to content

Border Blogs & News

Blogs and news from the borders of America.

Menu
  • Home
  • El Paso News
Menu

Border Report – Laredo activists to hold neighborhood meeting on cancer-causing air pollution

Posted on October 4, 2023

McALLEN, Texas (Border Report) — The Clean Air Laredo Coalition on Wednesday night is holding a neighborhood meeting to inform Laredo residents affected by long-term exposure to cancer-causing ethylene oxide emissions.

The meeting comes ahead of an Oct. 17 public hearing by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) that is reviewing a request by Midwest Sterilization Corp., for an air quality permit renewal.

Midwest Sterilization operates medical equipment cleaning facilities in Laredo and is located near several schools.

Ethylene oxide, or EtO is a Level 1 odorless, colorless gas that has been used to sterilize medical equipment at Midwest since the facility opened in Laredo in 2005, according to information provided by the company.


‘We didn’t know’: Laredoans demand EPA regulate cancer-causing toxin in border city

The Environmental Protection Agency in July 2022 released a study linking EtO levels with the facility, saying it has caused “elevated cancer risk in the Laredo community.”

In September 2022, the EPA held a similar town hall meeting in Laredo to discuss ethylene oxide.

The nonprofit Earthjustice and the Clean Air Laredo Coalition have demanded the closure of the sterilization facility, and filed lawsuits against the EPA alleging lax oversight.

The organizations say the Laredo facility is among the highest emitters of the carcinogenic air toxin in the nation.

Wednesday’s meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. CDT at the Frasken Community Center, located at 15201 Cerralavo Dr., in Laredo.

The purpose of the meeting is to prepare residents to tell their health stories relating to exposure to ethylene oxide, organizers say.

“This is our community’s moment to come forward and tell the state of any negative health impacts that they may be experiencing because of continuous long-term exposure to this extremely dangerous air toxic,” Rio Grande International Study Center Climate Science and Policy Director Sheila Serna said. “Ultimately, we need TCEQ to open a contested case hearing to hold Midwest accountable and to address this significant public health threat in Laredo.”


Visit the BorderReport.com homepage for the latest exclusive stories and breaking news about issues along the U.S.-Mexico border

Neighborhoods especially affected include: La Bota Ranch, Indian Sunset, Wolf Creek, and Villas San Agustin, and to those who work in businesses within the Killam Industrial Park.

Anyone who has lived or worked or attended school near Midwest Sterilization also is encouraged to attend. As well as anyone diagnosed with breast cancer, acute or chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and both extranodal and nodal Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Sandra Sanchez can be reached at SSanchez@Borderreport.com.

 Read: Read More 

Recent Posts

  • KTSM News – 9 Day Forecast: Temperatures rise, moisture levels fall in El Paso region
  • KTSM News – LIVE BLOG: Search efforts continue in Central Texas as new Flash Flood Warnings issued
  • KTSM News – 1 person rescued from canal with serious injuries in South-Central El Paso
  • Tech Crunch – ‘Improved’ Grok criticizes Democrats and Hollywood’s ‘Jewish executives’
  • KTSM News – PHOTOS: Deadly floods decimate parts of Texas

El Paso News

El Paso News delivers independent news and analysis about politics and public policy in El Paso, Texas. Go to El Paso News

Politico Campaigns

Are you a candidate running for office? Politico Campaigns is the go-to for all your campaign branding and technology needs.

Go to Politico Campaigns

Custom Digital Art

My name is Martín Paredes and I create custom, Latino-centric digital art. If you need custom artwork for your marketing, I'm the person to call. Check out my portfolio

© Martín Paredes