EPD to Sterigenics: testing prior to permit

Sterigenics must conduct thorough testing of a new emission control system at its Cobb County facility before the state considers issuing permit, according to a letter from the Georgia Environmental Protection Division.

Sterigenics suspended operations at the Cobb plant in August in order to install new equipment it said would reduce emissions of ethylene oxide, a flammable, carcinogenic gas the facility is permitted to use to sterilize medical equipment.

But the company came under fire from Governor Brian Kemp's office when it announced it was expediting construction without giving the state a chance to assess its proposal. It has not completed the upgrades because Cobb County has yet to issue a building permit after reclassifying the building's occupancy status from storage to high hazard industrial.

The EPD letter, which is dated October 9, requires Sterigenics to submit additional engineering analyses and documentation supporting its assertions regarding the efficacy of the new system. It also requires performance testing of various components of the new system upon EPD’s approval of the testing methods and procedures.

Everything must be handed over to EPD within 30 days of completion.

The AJC has reached out to Sterigenics for comment.

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