The Complaint
The complaint was filed by Georgia resident Emma Bonner who was diagnosed with chronic lymphoid leukemia after living and working within a few miles of the Smyrna facility for decades.
Sterigenics released thousands of pounds of EtO into the air annually and air modeling revealed levels of EtO up to 61 times higher than Georgia’s Acceptable Ambient Concentration.
According to a National Air Toxics Assessment report done by the EPA in 2018, around Smyrna, ethylene oxide causes about 70 of the 114 extra cases of cancer for every million people exposed over their lifetimes.
The EPA then failed to inform residents of these communities of what they found.
The complaint further alleges Sterigenics failed to disclose multiple leaks, knowingly emitted dangerous levels of EtO, and prioritized economic gain over public safety.
Public outrage over the Sterigenics facility in Smyrna has grown over the past several years as more residents have come forward with cancer diagnoses and other illnesses believed to be linked to EtO exposure.
Regulatory agencies have been slow to respond, prompting private litigation as a key path to accountability.
One such lawsuit led to a $35 million settlement in Gwinnett County, GA.
The March 2026 trial reflects a broader trend of successful EtO litigation.
In Cook County, Illinois, Sterigenics was hit with a $363 million verdict in 2022, followed by a $408 million global settlement in 2023.
International operations are also under fire, including a now-closed facility in the Toronto area.
TorHoerman Law is dedicated to securing justice for those harmed by this preventable public health crisis and is set to be a part of the May 2026 trial team for this crucial case.
If you or a loved one lived or worked near the Sterigenics facility in Smyrna, Georgia, and developed a related illness, contact TorHoerman Law today at (888) 508-6752 to see how we can help.
TorHoerman Law (THL) is a people-focused mass tort and personal injury law firm with offices in Georgia, Illinois, and Missouri.
THL has recovered more than $4 billion in verdicts and settlements for clients.
Most notably, the firm achieved a $495 million verdict in a NEC/baby formula trial against Abbott Laboratories in the summer of 2024.
