Georgia officials have reached an agreement to temporarily shut down a medical sterilization facility that uses a gas that studies have linked to an increased risk of cancer.
A Newton County judge on Monday signed off on a deal between the state and Becton, Dickinson and Co. to close the plant in the Atlanta suburb of Covington for a week.
The agreement also calls on Becton, Dickinson to reduce emissions of ethylene oxide after it resumes operations on Nov. 7.
The gas is used to sterilize medical equipment.
The National Institutes of Health says exposure to dangerous levels of ethylene oxide can cause cancer.
State officials had gone to court earlier this month seeking a temporary closure of the Covington plant over concerns about its discharge of the gas.
Congressman Jody Hice is postponing a Telephone Town Hall scheduled for Tuesday evening.