In August of 2018 the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a National Air Toxics Assessment (NATA) identifying ethylene oxide (ETO) as a cancer causing chemical and identified Covington as an area of concern due to the use of ETO in a facility operated by Becton Dickinson (BD).
Since news of ETO in Covington became known in July of 2019 steps have been taken to try to improve air quality in Covington and Newton County. The Newton County Board of Commissioners are not legislated to regulate air quality or facilitate environmental permits but have been using available channels to try and get the best result possible for its residents.
INFORMATION ON ETO IN COVINGTON
The EPA has set up an informational website on all things ETO in Covington and it can be found here: https://www.epa.gov/covington-eto
In August the EPA hosted a Town Hall meeting involving the EPD, FDA, health department and others. The full video of that town hall can be found here: https://youtu.be/qbzgoHo9N0I
TESTING IN COVINGTON
The EPD announced it will test for ETO in the air around Covington and Smyrna in August. The agency will take samples every six days for several months with four monitoring locations chosen in Covington.
In August, the Covington City Council voted on conducting its own sampling and hired Montrose Environmental. Montrose Emvironmental will place air collection canisters in 10 locations in Covington at determined locations including some that are in close proximity to BD.
FURTHER STEPS
Newton County Chairman Marcello Banes announced during the Board of Commissioners Sept. 3 meeting that he will be working closely with Georgia Governor Brian Kemp on making Newton County’s air the best it can be in regards to ETO. Banes said he is eager to see the governor’s plan and will follow the state’s lead on this important issue.