The city of Atlanta plans to enter an agreement with Smyrna and Cobb County to conduct air testing near the Sterigenics plant after concerns of toxic gas emissions. The plant, which sterilizes medical equipment, is located less than a mile away from Atlanta.
In 2016, the EPA classified ethylene oxide as a chemical that causes cancer. In July, a report from Georgia Health News and WebMD said residents near the facility may have a higher risk of cancer risk. Residents in Covington near the BD Bard plant are also at risk.
Atlanta City Councilmember Dustin Hillis introduced the legislation. He says the state’s Environmental Protection Division didn’t do enough to protect residents.
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