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Francisco Xavier Ortiz, a father of three, is battling lymphoma, a recent diagnosis that he believes is linked to prolonged exposure to ethylene oxide (EtO) emissions from a nearby commercial sterilization facility.
This carcinogenic gas is released into the air by Midwest Sterilization Corp. located near his home along the Mines Road industrial corridor in Northwest Laredo. The EPA classified EtO as a human carcinogen with studies linking even minimal inhalation over time to elevated cancer risks, including leukemia, lymphoma, and breast cancer (2016). EtO is extremely toxic in small amounts and is used in sterilizing medical equipment.
“The first symptoms I experienced were weight loss, excessive sweating at night, dehydration, and cramps,” Francisco recalls. His condition eventually worsened, resulting in severe anemia. After multiple tests, he was diagnosed with lymphoma. Due to his illness, Francisco can no longer work, creating financial strain. “Not working brings economic problems and generates stress,” he explains, adding that his inability to relocate adds to his challenges. “The doctor recommended I move, but I haven't worked for four months, and it's difficult for me to come up with rent and a deposit.”
Francisco’s situation reflects the broader health risks associated with prolonged exposure to air pollution. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified outdoor air pollution as a top environmental cause of cancer, while studies highlight the link between fine particulate matter exposure and lung cancer (Coleman et al., 2020).
Beyond his own diagnosis, Francisco is concerned about his community’s health. “The neighbor across the street also has cancer, although in his case, it is prostate cancer,” he notes. “More information is needed, and we need to be informed more clearly.”
The Ortiz family resides in an area heavily impacted by EtO emissions, with Francisco noting that such pollution is linked to a “climate crisis” and severe health consequences. EtO, derived from fossil fuel extraction through hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, exemplifies how petrochemical processes can affect both climate and human health. Facilities like Midwest in Laredo not only release EtO into the local air but also contribute to planet-heating greenhouse gas emissions and worsen pollution in communities like Laredo that are already vulnerable to health risks.
The physical toll of Francisco’s illness is profound. He struggles with side effects from chemotherapy, saying, “I can’t go out during sunny hours. If I have to do something, I do it early, especially because of chemotherapy.” The treatment weakens his immune system, leaving him vulnerable to even minor illnesses. “If you have a cold, you can recover. But for me, without defenses, my immune system is very weakened. For a simple cold, I would have to go to the hospital,” he says.
Francisco’s fight is also one of advocacy. He hopes for better pollution controls and greater community awareness to protect others from similar health risks. Despite his health challenges, Francisco remains motivated by his children, saying, “Life goes on, and if I don’t get to be with them, there is no way I can support them.”
