Air quality concerns prompted the Rockdale County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) to extend its shelter-in-place order for residents of Rockdale County, east of Atlanta. The order went into place Sunday following a chemical fire at the BioLab plant in Conyers.
Chemicals from the plant, which makes pool and spa chemicals, were released into the air early Sunday. Officials said the plume of smoke was visible at least 30 miles away.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Environmental Protection Division (EPD) determined the chemical cloud contained chlorine. Acting on advice from those agencies, Rockdale EMA advised residents to remain indoors Monday to avoid breathing in the harmful irritant.
The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) has reopened both sides of I-20 near the affected area in Conyers.
