Cobb County shuts down Sterigenics indefinitely

COBB COUNTY, Ga. — Cobb sent a letter to Sterigenics Tuesday telling the company it is not allowed to engage in any construction or sterilization activity at its facility near Smyrna pending county approval.

[READ: Sterilization plant meets with Smyrna residents over toxin release]

The letter, which was signed by a county attorney, said Cobb has not issued a construction permit or a certificate of occupancy based on the plant's recent designation as a "high hazard" industrial site.

"[T]he county is exercising its regulatory and public safety diligence based upon the revised construction plans and High Hazard occupancy," it reads. "[T]his critical regulatory review cannot be rushed or haphazardly conducted.

"In deference to public safety and the best interests of Cobb County residents, we will take the necessary steps to ensure compliance with various highly-technical building and fire codes."

Sterigenics has been the subject of controversy over its permitted use of ethylene oxide, a carcinogenic and combustible gas, to sterilize medical equipment.

[READ: Local sterilization plants released dangerous, cancer-causing toxins, report shows]

The plant, which is located on Olympic Industrial Drive, suspended operations in August in order to install new emission controls per an agreement with the state.

But in reviewing Sterigenics' plans, county officials decided to reclassify the building from "storage" to high hazard industrial, effectively freezing further construction.

[READ: Lawsuit aimed at state's handling of controversial plant]

The new classification comes with increased fire safety regulations that could pose a challenge to Sterigenics resuming operations at the Cobb location.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has reached out to Sterigenics for comment.

Cox Media Group