Press Releases

     Late yesterday following discussions between EPD and the federal Department of Health and Human Services, the Food and Drug Administration, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and impending critical shortages of medical devices sterilized by BD, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) and Becton Dickinson and Company (BD) filed a joint motion to amend the judicial consent order in Newton County Superior Court. Today the Court issued an order approving the amendment.

     As a result of recent rainfall and improving conditions, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) is ending its Level 1 Drought Response in 103 Georgia counties.  The decision means that almost all Georgians will return to a non-drought outdoor water use schedule.

Today, Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD) agreed to the terms outlined in Georgia Environmental Protection Division’s December 18, 2019 Notice of Violation (NOV).  The NOV cited BD for operating its Global Distribution Center (GDC) without an air quality permit. 

Today the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) issued a Notice of Violation (NOV) of the Georgia Rules for Air Quality Control to Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD) for operating its Global Distribution Center (GDC), located on Lochridge Boulevard, Covington, without an air quality permit.

Worsening drought conditions throughout most of the state have prompted a Level 1 Drought Response declaration from the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD).

The Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) is closely monitoring drought conditions in Georgia.

     The Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) is announcing today an air quality monitoring plan to measure ethylene oxide levels around two plants in suburban Atlanta.  Sterigenics in Smyrna and BD in Covington use the gas to sterilize medical equipment.

ATLANTA - Today the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) approved plans by Sterigenics to install new, anti-pollution controls to vastly reduce ethylene oxide emissions at its Smyrna facility. 

     The Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) is working closely with two suburban Atlanta companies that have agreed to implement additional voluntary improvements in their control of ethylene oxide gas.

     Beginning May 1, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) open burning ban will be in effect for 54 Georgia counties.  The open burning ban has been in place during the summer ozone season since 2005.