* Press release…

Medline has resumed sterilization services at its Waukegan facility following the installation of new, state-of-the-art emissions control equipment, which was certified by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency as required under state law.

This $10 million investment brings the most advanced safety technology in the world to Waukegan, with testing showing the new controls capture 99.99% of all ethylene oxide used at the facility. In addition to sterilization of surgical packs, the facility will play an immediate and direct role in supporting health care professionals battling the coronavirus at medical facilities across Illinois.

“The investment in Waukegan is part of our dedication to the health and safety of Medline employees and our neighbors,” said Medline spokesperson Jesse Greenberg. “Illinois is leading the nation with the most stringent ethylene oxide emission standards in the country. At this critical time for the national public health, we are gratified that we can help supply sterile medical equipment to Illinois healthcare professionals working on the frontlines and to clinicians battling COVID-19 across America.”

Medical devices sterilized by Medline’s Waukegan plant that are used to treat patients with the coronavirus or prevent its spread include personal protective equipment such as gowns and drapes, syringes, tubing and electronic devices including oxygenators.

“We’re really proud of our employees who are working hard each day to ensure our state and our country have the medical supplies needed to confront this crisis,” Greenberg added. “The upgrades at our Waukegan plant demonstrate Medline can meet the highest environmental standards while rising to the challenges we’re collectively facing in healthcare right now.”