BD, State Of Georgia Agree To Allow EtO Sterilization Plant To Keep Operating, Averting Potential Device Shortage

The state’s environmental regulators agreed on 28 October to allow Becton Dickinson to continue sterilizing medical devices using ethylene oxide (EtO) as long as the company continues to make modifications to their sterilization plants in the state, and limit the number of devices they sterilize. The agreement may have averted a serious medical device shortage across the US.

Room for sterilizing instruments in a modern clinic. Surgery, operating room. - Image

A 28 October agreement between Becton Dickinson & Co. and the state of Georgia that allows the company to continue sterilizing medical devices with ethylene oxide (EtO) at its Covington, GA, plant may have averted a serious medical device shortage across the US. The company has agreed to a slew of measures that would make modifications to the plant while restricting production of sterilized products.

The New Jersey-based company will continue to operate its Covington facility that uses EtO to clean products but will need to continue making upgrades to the facility that would capture more of the toxic gas that’s been associated with increased risk of cancer. The company operates two EtO sterilization facilities in the state, including one in Madison, GA

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