"A commercial sterilizing plant in Georgia that was shut down last year for storing and using a volatile carcinogenic gas on medical equipment may be closer to reopening to help meet the growing demand for clean masks, gowns, and gloves to fight the coronavirus pandemic.

Sterigenics U.S. LLC moved a step closer to resuming production Monday when officials in Cobb County, Ga. allowed the Illinois-based company to start negative air pressure tests for gaps in ventilation, sealing and insulation at its plant, which uses carcinogenic ethylene oxide for sterilization.

The county’s order came days after Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Stephen Hahn asked Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) to help Sterigenics reopen its suburban Atlanta facility to meet the critical demand for personal protective equipment for health workers and first responders."

Amena H. Saiyid reports for Bloomberg Environment March 24, 2020. [2]