Georgia ethylene oxide lawsuit: Cancer claims involving Sterigenics and BD

Did you live or work near the Sterigenics plant in Smyrna or the BD facility in Covington and develop cancer?

INTRODUCTION: If you lived or worked within 5 miles of the Sterigenics facility in Smyrna, GA, or the Becton Dickinson (BD/Bard) industrial sterilization plant in Covington, GA, and you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, lymphoma, leukemia, blood cancer or myeloma, you may have a legal claim related to ethylene oxide exposure.

What to know about the ethylene oxide lawsuit

• Core Issue: Lawsuits allege that ethylene oxide (EtO) emissions from the Sterigenics sterilization facility in Smyrna and the BD/Bard facility in Covington, GA, caused cancer in nearby residents and workers.

• Who it Affects: Individuals who lived or worked full-time within 5 miles of either Georgia facility and were later diagnosed with breast cancer, lymphoma, leukemia, blood cancer or myeloma.

• Harm/Impact: An EtO-related cancer diagnosis can involve expensive medical care, lost income, significant emotional distress and physical hardship. In some cases, the cancer may be fatal.

• Legal Status: Individual personal-injury and wrongful-death lawsuits have been filed against Sterigenics and BD/Bard. As of 2026, lawsuits involving both companies remain ongoing, with new cases being filed.

• Take Action: If you lived or worked near either facility and have been diagnosed with cancer, fill out the form on this page to see if you may qualify to file an ethylene oxide lawsuit.

What is the Georgia ethylene oxide lawsuit?

Residents and workers near two industrial sterilization facilities in Georgia have filed personal-injury and wrongful-death lawsuits alleging that uncontrolled ethylene oxide emissions caused cancer.

These EtO lawsuit claims argue that:

• Sterigenics’ facility in Smyrna and BD/Bard’s facility in Covington released hazardous levels of ethylene oxide into surrounding communities for decades
• Nearby residents and workers were exposed to EtO through air emissions without adequate warning or protection
• Long-term EtO exposure has been linked to increased cancer risk. The EPA classifies ethylene oxide as a human carcinogen.

Residents and workers affected by EtO exposure may qualify to file an ethylene oxide lawsuit against Sterigenics and Bard.

Case updates

Legal status as of November 2026

• November 2026: Several EtO claims are progressing through the court system, and attorneys continue to investigate new claims.
• March 2026: A Georgia court ruled in favor of Sterigenics in 5 Sterigenics lawsuit cases after rejecting expert testimony intended to establish a connection between ethylene oxide exposure and cancer.
• February 2026: Sterigenics faces around 450 personal injury claims in Georgia, according to a report from the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
• May 2025: A Georgia jury awarded $20 million to a former Covington resident who developed non-Hodgkin lymphoma after alleged decades of EtO exposure.
• October 2023: Sterigenics agreed to pay $35 million to resolve 79 Georgia Sterigenics lawsuit cases that were scheduled to go to trial.
• September 2020: The first of several lawsuits were filed against a Sterigenics plant for EtO exposure.   

This page was last reviewed and updated in November 2026 to reflect the latest case developments.

How ethylene oxide exposure can cause lasting harm

Long-term exposure to EtO has been linked to an increased risk of certain cancers, including breast cancer, leukemia and lymphoma. A cancer diagnosis can have lasting physical, emotional and financial consequences for individuals and their families. These may include:

• Medical expenses: Costs associated with cancer treatments, hospital stays, medications and ongoing medical care.
• Lost income: Time away from work during treatment or an inability to return to work due to ongoing health complications.
• Physical challenges: Pain, fatigue and other side effects associated with cancer and its treatment.
• Emotional distress: Anxiety, depression and uncertainty about the future following a cancer diagnosis.
• Impact on families: Additional caregiving responsibilities, financial strain and the emotional toll of supporting a loved one through cancer treatment.
• Loss of life: In some cases, these cancers can be fatal, leaving families to cope with the loss of a loved one.

Individuals diagnosed with cancer after living or working near either facility may qualify to pursue compensation through an ethylene oxide lawsuit.

Georgia ethylene oxide lawsuit FAQs

What is ethylene oxide (EtO), and how is it used?

Ethylene oxide (EtO) is a colorless gas commonly used to sterilize medical equipment and other products that cannot withstand high temperatures. Facilities operated by Sterigenics and BD/Bard in Georgia have used EtO in their sterilization processes.

Is the Georgia ethylene oxide lawsuit a class action?

No. The lawsuits against Sterigenics and BD/Bard involve individual personal injury and wrongful death claims rather than a class action lawsuit. This means each person’s claim is evaluated based on their circumstances, including their exposure history and cancer diagnosis.

How do I know if I was exposed to ethylene oxide?

People who lived or worked near the Sterigenics facility in Smyrna or the BD/Bard facility in Covington, GA, may have been exposed to ethylene oxide emissions. Because EtO is a colorless gas, individuals may not have been aware of their exposure.

An attorney may be able to review your residential or employment history to help determine whether you may have a claim.

How much compensation could I receive from an ethylene oxide lawsuit?

Compensation is never guaranteed, and potential payouts vary based on individual circumstances. However, a successful ethylene oxide lawsuit may be able to recover compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering and other damages.

Fill out the form on this page to see if you qualify for a free case evaluation.