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Covington plant using ethylene oxide reopens

BD plant suspended operations for a week

COVINGTON, Ga. — The BD plant in Covington resumed operations, Thusrday morning, using ethylene oxide to sterilize medical equipment.  The plant had closed for a week after a legal confrontation with state regulators.  

"BD is safely operating in full compliance with its permits," the company said in a statement.

RELATED: Court filing shows BD, state at odds for months

But not all welcomed the news.

"Not real thrilled about it," countered Cindy Jordan, a resident of nearby Walnut Grove. She would have preferred that the plant stay closed until it finds a new system to sterilize medical equipment that doesn’t use ethylene oxide.  

RELATED: What is ethylene oxide?

Instead, the plant operates under new rules – to report all leaks and reduce “fugitive emissions” of the carcinogenic gas from the plant, as well as upgrading its equipment and allowing unannounced inspections by regulators.

In Tuesday’s election, Steve Horton unseated incumbent mayor Ronnie Johnston of Covington. 11Alive saw Horton Thursday, taking down one of his own campaign sign near downtown.

Horton credits Johnston and the rest of the current city government for independently testing the air near the BD plant - and residents for insisting that the state take action.  

"The world would be safer if it weren’t faced with this as an issue," Horton told 11Alive.

RELATED: 'Give us answers': Residents upset Covington plant leak wasn't disclosed

Although the city government has little authority over the plant, Horton says it was top-of-mind for voters Tuesday.  

"We know it’s a real issue, because we know emissions are coming out of the stack," he said. "The question is, what are they?"

RELATED: Open valve at sterilization plant was leaking cancer-causing gas into community for a week

In its statement, BD said “the company remains confident in the safety of its operations and the scientific analysis that confirms that its operations are safe for employees, the community and public health.” 

Jordan says the next step should include the CDC and other health organizations testing cancer-stricken residents who live in communities near the plant.

"They’ll do a cancer cluster investigation. They’ll see for themselves this is not a safe situation. You're putting Covington residents at risk," Jordan said. "We cannot allow this to keep being put into our air."

RELATED: EPA announces new effort to reduce ethylene oxide emissions nationwide

As the plant reopens, it will operate under unprecedented scrutiny – from residents, from state regulators – and from a city government that had treated it merely as a jobs provider until a couple of months ago.

MORE COVERAGE: 

'It would be a pretty darn big hole in the ground': Hidden danger surrounds Georgia plants

FDA sounds warning bell about negative impact of closing medical facilities emitting ethylene oxide

Doctors group says ethylene oxide is necessary despite cancer concerns

3rd plant gets scrutiny for ethylene oxide leaks

100s more cases of cancer in neighborhoods where these plants are, big differences in both

Cancer-causing chemical in 2 Georgia communities leads to more cases of cancer, experts say

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