The BioLab fire in Conyers has diminished the air quality in and around Rockdale County east of Atlanta, raising concerns farther north. Northeasterly winds are carrying the haze and odor from the chlorine cloud into other communities.
The Environmental Protection Agency is monitoring the air quality. Georgia Homeland Security issued an alert mid-day Monday stating, “Chemical levels are unlikely to cause harm to most people.”
However, officials advise those susceptible to poor air quality to take precautions.
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White County Emergency Management issued a notice stating, “While there are currently no indications that the air plume will move into White County, we recommend that residents who are sensitive to air quality or have medical conditions that could be aggravated by such events take precautionary measures.”
The agency advises people sensitive to poor air quality to stay indoors, keep windows closed, turn off the air conditioning, and minimize outdoor activity.
Monday afternoon, Rockdale County Fire Chief Marian McDaniel released a video update confirming the fire was out – it was extinguished around 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29. She says crews were removing building debris from the collapsed structure so they could access the remaining chemicals and remove them to a safe off-site location.
Early morning fire unleashes chemicals
The fire broke out on the plant’s roof around 5 a.m. Sunday. What officials described as a “malfunctioning sprinkler head” caused water to mix with dry chemicals, unleashing a chemical cloud.
Rockdale County evacuated over 17,000 people from homes and businesses and instructed thousands more to shelter in place.
Rockdale and nearby Newton County closed schools and public offices on Monday. The Georgia Department of Transportation closed Interstate 20 near Conyers on Sunday but reopened it early Monday.
In a news release Monday morning, county officials said air quality surveys conducted by state and federal agencies “revealed the harmful irritant chlorine.”
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, exposure to low levels of chlorine can cause eye and nose irritation, sore throat, and cough. It can also lead to choking, nausea, vomiting, headache and dizziness.
