IN THE NEWS

Officials must be transparent, act in public’s best interest

The saga over medical sterilization plants in Smyrna and Covington has taken yet another twist.

After reviewing more than 22,000 emails and other documents, this newspaper confirmed residents’ worst fears: Not only was the state slow to respond, but it decided against alerting the public of potential danger and rejected the notion of testing the air for ethylene oxide — a cancer-causing compound used by the plants.

After reporters brought all this to light, Georgia did eventually reverse course after public outcry. The state is now testing the air around the Sterigenics plant in Smyrna and the BD facility in Covington, and Gov. Brian Kemp quickly secured pledges of enhanced pollution controls at both plants.

The state’s actions came a year after Colorado and Illinois — which learned of the potential danger at the same time as Georgia — had already taken protective measures.

Richard Dunn, the director of the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, and other officials maintain they’ve handled the situation correctly.

But that has done little to assuage residents’ concerns.

These latest findings compound their sense of vulnerability.

As this newspaper has pushed for all along, it’s important state and local leaders hold these types of facilities to the highest standards.

All of this must be done in a transparent manner, as Kemp’s office has now pledged.

Then, and only then, might residents feel as if their elected officials have their best interests at heart when it comes to these controversial plants.