EtO Exposure at BD Madison GA: Cancer Risks and Emissions Claims

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The Question Is Your Address, Not Your Town.

Two streets in one neighborhood can fall on opposite sides of the line. We check your actual address against EPA’s own model — and tell you either way.

The figures on this page come from EPA’s air-toxics modeling and the facility’s own reported releases, not from us. No claim is decided by a map — it turns on the address, the years, the diagnosis and the law of the state.

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Every ethylene oxide inquiry gets a personal review — and an honest answer either way, free and without obligation.

This page is attorney advertising and legal information, not legal advice, and it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Marin & Murphy Law Firm is licensed in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut and South Carolina; a matter in another state would be handled with, or referred to, a lawyer licensed there. Prior results do not guarantee, warrant, or predict a similar outcome in any future case. Every claim is evaluated case by case, on its own facts.

Updated August 29, 2025

What EPA’s own records show about the Madison plant

In EPA’s 2019 AirToxScreen assessment, the census tract containing the Becton Dickinson plant in Madison carries a modelled lifetime cancer risk from ethylene oxide of about 24 in one million — the largest single contributor among the air toxics EPA models for that tract, and about 42% of the tract’s entire modelled air-toxics cancer risk.

EPA publishes a second layer that splits the same tract’s modelled risk by source type. It attributes about 25 per million to stationary point sources — effectively the whole of the ethylene oxide figure. That is what separates an industrial signal from background: at a tract with no such source, both numbers sit near zero.

The facility’s own reporting runs alongside it. Becton Dickinson has reported ethylene oxide released to air at Madison in every year from 2007 through 2024 — 18 reporting years and 24,581 pounds, peaking at 3,196 pounds in 2020 and falling to 849 pounds in 2024.

The two figures come from different EPA programs and neither is derived from the other: the pounds are what the facility itself reported to the Toxics Release Inventory, while AirToxScreen is modelled from EPA’s National Emissions Inventory. Neither dataset measures what any one person breathed at any one address, and neither decides a claim. They describe what was reported and what EPA models — which is where an honest inquiry starts, not where it ends. Sources: EPA Toxics Release Inventory (facility ID 30650BRDMD1211M); EPA AirToxScreen 2019, risk by air toxic and by source type.

The other facilities on the federal record

We pulled EPA’s release history and modelled tract cancer risk for every facility below, one at a time, from EPA’s own databases. The first column is the plant’s own census tract. The second is the highest tract whose centre lies within four miles — because at several of these sites the model does not peak at the plant. It peaks in a neighbourhood nearby, and the difference is not small. They are not close to each other, and that is the point: the same litigation covers plants whose records differ by three orders of magnitude.

Both columns are EPA AirToxScreen 2019. The first is a point query at the facility address; the second is the highest value among tracts whose published centroid lies within four miles, each confirmed by a second query against EPA’s service by feature id. A modelled tract figure is not a measurement of what any person breathed, and it does not establish that any facility caused any illness.

Covidien’s North Haven plant is the one site here whose two records diverge most: 77,492 pounds reported released to air across 38 filing years since 1987, against a modelled tract figure in the single digits. The release record and the modelled risk are different measures and they do not have to agree.

If the plant nearest you is not on this list, it may still be one we are looking at — the list of facilities being accepted changes, and we track more than we have written pages for.

Was your address inside the area?

Most people who lived near a sterilizing plant never knew it was there. There is nothing to see from the road, ethylene oxide has no smell at the concentrations that matter, and the emissions numbers sit in a federal database almost nobody reads. So the honest starting point is not do I have a case. It is: was my home inside the area, and is my diagnosis one of the ones being accepted?

Three things decide that.

1. Where you lived. Distance is measured street to street from the Becton Dickinson plant in Madison, not by town or ZIP code. Two streets can sit on opposite sides of the line, so it is worth asking even if you are unsure.
2. How long. The cases currently being accepted in this litigation generally require about a year of living in the area, after the plant began operating. Every claim is evaluated case by case, on its own facts and on the evidence available to pursue a claim at that particular site. The emissions figures on this page are the public record; they are not a list of which years count, and at some sites the two do not line up. Tell us the years you lived there and we will tell you where they fall.
3. Your diagnosis. Leukemia and lymphoma are the diagnoses most consistently accepted. Others are assessed individually, and some are not being accepted at all — we will tell you which category yours falls into rather than leave you guessing.

If your address is outside the area, we will say so plainly. We keep the details on file either way, because the facilities and diagnoses being accepted change over time and a claim can be revisited — but you will not be chased.

You do not need medical records, an address history, or anything else to ask. One call or one form is enough to find out which side of the line you were on, and roughly how long a claim of this kind takes. Free case review, and there is no fee unless there is a recovery.

Marin & Murphy is not licensed in Georgia; a matter there would be handled with, or referred to, a lawyer licensed in that state.

If you or a loved one lived or worked near the BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) facility at 1211 Mary Magnan Boulevard in Madison, Georgia, and have been diagnosed with certain cancers, you may have questions about potential links to ethylene oxide (EtO) emissions. Ethylene oxide exposure Madison GA is a growing concern based on EPA data showing elevated cancer risks near sterilization facilities like BD’s. As a Massachusetts-based law firm with experience in environmental mass torts, we’re here to provide educational information on ethylene oxide risks based on public EPA data, including BD facility Madison GA EtO cancer risks and EtO emissions GA 2025 updates. This page is for informational purposes only.

Cancers Linked to Ethylene Oxide Exposure

Leukemia (all types), non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Multiple Myeloma, Liver Cancer, Lung Cancer, Breast Cancer

EtO is a colorless gas used for sterilizing medical devices. But it’s also a known carcinogen per the EPA. Prolonged exposure has been associated with increased risks of cancers such as leukemia, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and breast cancer.

This page explains EtO cancer risks with Georgia-specific details. We draw from public EPA data on BD facility Madison GA EtO cancer risks. It includes cancer latency periods Madison GA and how emissions impact local communities.

What Is Ethylene Oxide (EtO) and Why Is It a Concern for BD Facility Madison GA EtO Cancer Risks?

Ethylene oxide (EtO) is a chemical used in sterilization at facilities like BD in Madison. The site at 1211 Mary Magnan Boulevard uses EtO for medical equipment. EPA Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) data lists it among 29 facilities reporting EtO since 2021. This is due to high volumes and community risks.

Historical emissions continue, but EPA notes reductions under 2024 NESHAP rules. Status as of September 2026: on 17 March 2026 EPA proposed to repeal the 2024 commercial-sterilizer rule, citing legal, scientific and medical-supply concerns. That proposal has not been finalised, so the 2024 standards remain in effect while the reconsideration is pending. Still, cancer risks remain for EtO emissions GA 2025 concerns. EPA highlights environmental justice issues for residents nearby. This includes vulnerable groups like children near schools.

EtO is genotoxic—it damages DNA. This can lead to cancers with latencies of 2-5 years or more from first exposure.

EPA Data Summary on EtO Emissions at the Madison Facility

The BD facility at 1211 Mary Magnan Boulevard in Madison, GA (ZIP 30650) uses EtO for sterilizing devices. It’s regulated by EPA as EtO is a human carcinogen via inhalation.

Key EPA insights include

• Historical Emissions and Reporting Required to report to TRI since December 2021. Due to high volumes and proximity risks. 2024 submissions (due July 2025) note ongoing emissions with reductions. Legacy exposures remain a concern. In 2022, 26 facilities managed >6 million lbs EtO waste, with air releases down 43% from 2013-2022.
• Current Regulations 2024 NESHAP requires 90% emission cuts by 2026. Includes controls on point sources and room air. No major violations for Madison, but flagged for environmental justice affecting residents nearby.
• Health Risk Assessments EPA’s 2016 IRIS links long-term inhalation to multi-site cancers. Modeled risks ≥100-in-1 million near facilities. 2025 updates: No new controls, no local monitoring, with outreach via meetings and flyers.

Key Health Risks Linked to EtO (Based on EPA and NIOSH Studies)

• Leukemias (all types).
• Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
• Multiple Myeloma.
• Lung Cancer (limited to non-smokers).
• Breast Cancer.

2025 GA EtO Regulations Update

Georgia’s Environmental Protection Division (EPD) oversees EtO regulations in line with federal EPA standards. As of 2025, key updates include exemptions for some sterilization plants, allowing two more years to meet federal standards per recent reports.

EPD updated Startup, Shutdown, and Malfunction (SSM) rules in 2023, submitted to EPA. A March 2024 court decision influenced these. On July 15, 2025, EPD released updated Rules for Air Quality Control.

EPA’s January 14, 2025 interim decision requires EtO pesticide risk reductions under FIFRA. For BD Madison, this means stricter monitoring and emission controls by 2026. EPD maintains a database of enforcement actions. No specific violations for Madison, but statewide focus on EtO continues amid cancer risk concerns.

These EtO emissions GA 2025 updates aim to reduce risks. But legacy exposures persist, especially near facilities like BD.

Madison GA Community Impact from Ethylene Oxide Exposure

Madison, GA, in Morgan County, has a population of about 4,714 (2023 data). Median age is 37.5, with average income $47,518. 98.3% are U.S. citizens; 2.31% foreign-born.

Morgan County School District serves 3,514 students across 4 schools. Minority enrollment is 30%; 31.6% economically disadvantaged. Schools near the BD facility include Morgan County Primary School and others within 5 miles. This raises concerns for children, a vulnerable group per EPA.

Environmental justice issues affect ~5,000-10,000 within 5 miles. Poverty rate ~18%, higher than national average. EtO exposure could exacerbate health disparities. Community outreach includes EPA meetings and residents report worries about cancer clusters linked to BD facility Madison GA EtO cancer risks.

Comparison to Other GA Facilities: BD Covington and Madison Overlaps

BD operates multiple EtO facilities in Georgia, creating overlapping risks. Compare Madison to Covington for context.

In Covington, EPA identified census tracts with cancer risks >100-in-1M from EtO. GA EPD monitors air quality there since 2019 due to high levels. Over 150 lawsuits filed by Covington residents allege cancers from BD’s emissions. Risks extend 15 miles, similar to potential in Madison.

Both facilities use EtO for sterilization. Covington’s history highlights possible BD facility Madison GA EtO cancer risks. See similar concerns in other states, like Northborough MA EtO exposure or Spartanburg SC EtO cancer claims.

Potential Claimants: Do You Meet the Criteria for EtO Exposure Concerns?

• Residents – Lived near the facility, with a diagnosis of leukemia, lymphoma, or a less common subtype of breast cancer. The closer the home and the longer the residence, the stronger the claim, and exposure during the years before emission controls were installed matters most. There is no cutoff based on how long ago the diagnosis was made.
• Family members – Relatives of someone who has died and who met the description above (wrongful death claims under Georgia law).
• Workers – Working at the plant is not by itself a basis for these claims, which are residential. Someone who worked there may still qualify if they also lived nearby for a sustained period, so it is worth checking rather than assuming otherwise.

Addresses are measured street-to-street, not by ZIP code, so it is worth asking even if you are unsure. If your diagnosis or address falls outside these descriptions, we still want the details — the facilities and diagnoses being accepted change over time, and we keep a complete file so a claim can be revisited. Free case review, and there is no fee unless there is a recovery.

Court costs and litigation expenses are advanced by counsel and repaid from the recovery. You are not responsible for court costs or litigation expenses if there is no recovery, unless a court directs otherwise. The attorney’s fee is a percentage of the gross recovery, calculated before expenses are deducted.

Latency Periods Reported in Published Studies (For Educational Purposes Only)

Other ethylene oxide plants on the federal record

Ethylene oxide is reported to EPA at plants across the country, and the federal record is not the same at any two of them. A claim turns on the plant a person actually lived near, so if your address was closer to one of these, start there instead:

• Becton Dickinson, Covington GA — same operator
• Sterilization Services, Memphis TN
• Baxter, Mountain Home AR
• Steris-Isomedix, Spartanburg SC

You can read EPA’s modelled risk for every census tract around these plants, side by side, in our EtO census-tract risk index.

Naming an operator is not an allegation that it caused any individual’s illness. Whether a person has a claim depends on their address, their years there, their diagnosis and the law of their state.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on Ethylene Oxide Exposure Madison GA Concerns

How recent does the diagnosis have to be?

More recent than most people expect, and this is the single most common reason a file that looks strong on the map goes nowhere. The cases currently being accepted in this litigation weigh how recently the diagnosis was made, not only what the diagnosis was. If yours is an older one, say so at the start rather than at the end — it changes which lane a claim belongs in, and you are better served knowing that on the first call.

Click the questions below for additional educational information on EtO concerns near the BD facility in Madison, GA

Disclaimer The case results described above are provided for informational purposes only and reflect outcomes achieved in specific matters handled by Marin & Murphy Law Firm. Prior results do not guarantee, warrant, or predict a similar outcome in any future case. Each legal matter is unique, and the success of any case depends on its specific factual and legal circumstances, which may differ significantly from those in the cases referenced. No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers. Educational purposes only; not legal advice. Past results no guarantee. Consult GA attorney.

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This page is legal information, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship.