ETA: This is the news article I was alluding to which is now out: https://www.tampabay.com/investigations/2026/04/30/tampa-bay-toxic-gas-temple-terrace-cancer-risk/
Filters were installed in 2023. In October 2025, inspectors found that those filters were not maintained. Facility was abandoned in December 2025. Many folks in the area developed cancer in the past several years. Those who were exposed over the past decade will bear lifelong elevated risks, especially those exposed as kids. We have a right to be outraged about having been kept in the dark. I encourage those who have lived, worked, or studied in the area to inform those who also lived, worked, or studied in the area during that period. And pay close attention to the lax rules that are being pushed by the current administration which will likely allow these practices to continue in communities across the country, and new facilities to open, with no warning and limited protections in place.
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A company named American Contract Services (ACS) has a medical sterilizing facility within the BayCare Integrated Service Center at 7802 E. Telecom Dr. and has been emitting toxic Ethylene Oxide fumes throughout our community since 2016. This is a densely populated area home to daycares, schools, USF, neighborhoods, and businesses. Long-term exposure has been linked to cancer, respiratory, and neurological issues. Childhood exposure is particularly dangerous. Campus is within the 5 miles of concern. Wind direction is a huge factor in where the plume spreads; with wind patterns moving primarily to the west in our area, we are breathing in this chemical unbeknownst to most.
Cancer clusters have been found across the country related to EtO facilities, some shut down, most have not.
https://news.wttw.com/2019/02/15/illinois-epa-shuts-down-sterigenics-willowbrook
There was a poorly attended community event in Temple Terrace in 2023 where the mayor and involved companies discussed the matter and claimed it what being dealt with and scrubbers were being installed to capture excess emissions (why would people attend something they didn't realize was such a big issue)?
In 2024, the Biden administration passed a rule saying that facilities must work to install controls to reduce emissions by over 90% - but I have it on good word that ACS has not been using them.
Now the Trump administration intends to roll back these rules.
There was a federal public hearing about the weakening protections on April 1:
https://www.youtube.com/live/dTAL_aAio1M
There were several reports about EtO that were taken down from federal sites.
This firm has been canvassing nearby neighborhoods to spread the word. I haven't heard a peep from USF.
https://www.templeterrace-claims.com/
There are other chemicals that can be used to clean medical equipment. Furthermore, clean medical equipment shouldn't come at the expense of the health of the community - they're creating more patients by doing this! The USF Community has right to know and to do something about it. University leadership needs to address this issue and GET THIS DISHONEST COMPANY OUT of our community! Students - please use your passion, intelligence, and connections to get the word out.
And lastly, say what you want about "both sides", but elections matter. The previous administration worked to protect us, and the current one is reversing that.
Politicians and conspiracy theorists are distracting us with unfounded theories related "chemtrails" and "weather modification" to protect big business and industrial polluters while they do nothing to address actual, documented evidence that can send us to an early grave. We need accountability and action; pronto.