State Rep. Erick Allen (D-Smyrna) announced his intention this week to introduce legislation imposing additional state oversight of facilities that emit ethylene oxide, a cancer-causing gas used in some industrial processes.
Ethylene oxide sparked protests over the summer after WebMD and Georgia Health News reported on a federal study that highlighted potential increased cancer risk around several medical sterilization facilities across the state.
The facilities are legally permitted to use and emit the gas, but the government revised its risk assessment after concluding it was dangerous at much lower levels than previously thought.
Allen said his bill would require ethylene oxide permit holders to monitor their emissions and submit reports to the state twice a year. It would also restrict so-called “off-gassing,” whereby product is allowed to sit after sterilization, in buildings without an approved vent control system.
Additionally, Allen said his proposal would require some ambient air testing at “community locations.”
“It is my hope that this legislation will move forward to ensure the quality of our air and to remove the burden of testing from our local counties and cities,” Allen said in a statement.
Several cities and counties, including Smyrna and Covington, have used public money to hire outside companies to conduct air monitoring around sterilizers.
“This is also extremely important considering the state budget cuts that are pending which may limit Environmental Protection Division’s ability to continue testing,” Allen added.
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