History of Incidents at Georgia BioLab

Rockdale County Residents Face Ongoing Safety Concerns

A fire at BioLab, a chemical plant in Conyers, Georgia, has led to an indefinite extension of a shelter-in-place order for over 90,000 Rockdale County residents. The incident, which occurred on September 29, 2024, has raised serious safety concerns and disrupted daily life in the area.

5 Key Points

• A fire at BioLab in Conyers triggered a chemical reaction and a massive smoke plume.
• Air quality surveys detected chlorine in the air following the fire.
• Approximately 17,000 people were evacuated due to the incident.
• The shelter-in-place order affects more than 90,000 Rockdale County residents.
• This is the second fire at the facility within the past decade.

Fire Outbreak and Initial Response

On Sunday afternoon, a sprinkler malfunction at BioLab, a pool and spa treatment product manufacturer, led to water contacting chemicals and causing an explosion. The resulting fire sent a large plume of dark smoke into the sky, visible from miles away. The incident prompted an immediate response from local authorities and emergency services. According to officials, the fire was brought under control around 4 pm on Sunday, but the aftermath continues to affect the community.

Environmental Impact and Safety Measures

Though the fire was extinguished on Sunday, air quality surveys conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency and the state Environmental Protection Division revealed the presence of chlorine, a harmful irritant, in the air. This detection led to the extension of the shelter-in-place order. In a statement released early Monday, the Rockdale County Government advised residents to turn off air conditioning and keep windows and doors shut as a precautionary measure. These recommendations aim to minimize exposure to potentially harmful air contaminants.

Evacuation and Traffic Disruption

The severity of the situation led to the evacuation of approximately 17,000 people from the northern part of Rockdale County, specifically the area north of Interstate 20. This large-scale evacuation demonstrates the serious nature of the chemical release and its potential health risks. Interstate 20 was temporarily closed in both directions on Sunday as part of the emergency response, significantly disrupting traffic in the area. However, officials reopened the interstate on Monday morning, allowing for some return to normalcy in terms of transportation.

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Lingering Concerns and Ongoing Precautions

Fire Chief Marian McDaniel warned that the smoke might persist for several days, though the specific health hazards remain unclear. This uncertainty has led to the indefinite extension of the shelter-in-place order, which initially covered the entire county. This order’s extended duration underscores the threat’s ongoing nature and the need for continued vigilance among residents.

History of Incidents at BioLab

This fire marks the second such incident at the BioLab facility in recent years, raising questions about the plant’s safety protocols. In September 2020, the plant experienced what was described as a “thermal decomposition event” that led to a fire. The U.S. Chemical Safety Board investigation found that the previous incident was caused by rainwater entering the building due to strong winds from Hurricane Laura, which damaged the warehouse. This history of incidents may increase scrutiny of the facility’s safety measures and emergency preparedness.

Company Response and Community Impact

A BioLab representative stated that all employees were accounted for with no reported injuries, emphasizing the company’s priority on community safety. The company works with first responders and local authorities to assess and contain the situation. However, the incident has significantly impacted the community, affecting daily life for tens of thousands of residents and raising concerns about long-term environmental and health effects.