The Latest on the Ethylene Oxide Situation
The next public meeting on Ethylene Oxide is tonight, Monday, August 19, 2019, at 7:00 PM at the Cobb Civic Center. An Open House will precede the meeting, and from 5:00 PM until 6:45 PM, representatives from the EPA, the Georgia EPD, the CDC, and community organizations will be available to discuss the issue one-on-one. In addition, you can click on this link to submit your questions to be addressed during the meeting.
Here is the complete agenda for tonight’s meeting.
Below are updates on this issue since my last post:
- Here is a link to the Cobb County portal for all things Sterigenics, including the latest news articles, official statements from Cobb County and other jurisdictions and official agencies, and links to my previous updates as well as those Senator Jen Jordan.
- On Thursday, August 15, Cobb County issued all necessary construction permits for further emissions reductions at the Sterigenics facility.
- This is the news release issued by the Georgia EPD on Friday, August 16 detailing their plans for air quality monitoring near Sterigenics in Cobb County and the BD Bard facility in Covington. Please note that these plans are separate from the independent air quality testing that will be done jointly by the City and Smyrna and Cobb County.
- This week, Governor Kemp will meet with representatives from Sterigenics and BD Bard “to ensure that they take responsibility, embrace transparency and work with their communities to build trust.” Governor Kemp also noted that “this situation is simply unacceptable.”
If you can’t attend the meeting in person, please visit Cobb County’s YouTube page, where the meeting will be broadcast live at 7:00 PM.
About Author
Teri
Teri Anulewicz is a Democrat who represents House District 42 in the Georgia General Assembly. She previously spent nearly a decade on the Smyrna City Council. A native New Orleanian and quasi-Texan, Teri graduated from Agnes Scott College in 1998. She's been a front page contributor since 2015, and she compiles each Tuesday's Morning Reads.
Add a Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Washington, D.C. (August 19, 2019) | Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-GA) issued the following statement over the growing health concerns in Georgia’s 11th Congressional District regarding Sterigenics use of ethylene oxide gas, used in the sterilization of medical equipment:
“Since my office was made aware of the concerns over the use of the chemical compound ethylene oxide by Sterigenics, a Smyrna based facility, my staff and I have been actively involved in gathering information and working with local, state, and federal government entities to be sure there is a thorough investigation. This is a multi-faceted, complex issue, which is why my office has stayed in contact with the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD), the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Sterigenics, and others, who are working to make sure those who live and work in these areas are safe.
“Given the recent reports regarding the use of this chemical gas by Sterigenics, and the potential health risks associated with breathing it in the air, it is imperative for citizens in my District, and the surrounding area, to get answers to our concerns. This is why I have sent a formal inquiry to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Andrew Wheeler, as to how the agency is investigating this public health issue. I certainly expect to get answers soon, and will continue working on this until we can satisfactorily ensure the protection of our citizens.”
To read Rep. Loudermilk’s letter to the EPA, CLICK HERE:
The EPA is currently run by corporate polluters. Enforcement of any past regulations has stopped. Denying science, censoring scientists. Enabling the destruction of land, air, water and communities for corporate profit is their only objective. Congress and the current administration have made it a priority. It’s easy for the State to appear concerned when they know the feds will side with business and negate any local enforcement.
“This is a multi-faceted, complex issue…”
Not really. STOP the gas emissions. Now. Studies, investigations, and sternly worded letters can happen while the gas valves are turned off.
Cobb residents concerned about ethylene oxide should take note that Trump campaigned on eliminating the EPA, now headed by a former oil and gas industry lobbyist.
‘ “Environmental protection, what they do is a disgrace; every week they come out with new regulations,” he told Fox News Sunday last year.
“Who’s going to protect the environment?” asked host Chris Wallace.
“We’ll be fine with the environment.” Trump replied.’
https://www.cnbc.com/2016/11/09/regulation-buster-trump-takes-aim-at-the-epa.html