Friday, Oct. 4, 9:45 a.m.
Georgia health officials warn that shifting winds could mean more haze and the smell of chlorine in the air through the weekend from the BioLab chemical fire in Conyers.
As previously reported, Mayor Andre Dickens advised residents to stay indoors if the smoke moved overhead and to call their medical provider if they experienced symptoms – especially those with heart and lung conditions.
The Atlanta-Journal Constitution reports that Rockdale County Schools will be virtual Monday through Wednesday next week as a precaution.
Work crews used excavators Thursday to clean up the BioLab site, which is sending more haze into the air.
Wednesday, Oct. 2, 8:15 p.m.
The City of Atlanta sent a notice to residents via cell phones and social media that the Atlanta-Fulton County Emergency Management Agency (AFCEMA) is monitoring air quality from the BioLab fire in Conyers. The notice said chlorine levels in the air currently “safe” in Fulton County and not active advisories are in place.
“The current weather models show the winds will begin to shift from the east to the west after sunset Wednesday,” the notice said. “Smoke is predicted to settle towards the ground as it moves toward Atlanta. There is a high likelihood that people across Metro Atlanta will wake up on Thursday morning seeing haze and smelling chlorine.”
In a social media post, Mayor Andre Dickens said health professionals recommended limiting outdoor activities and staying indoors before noon especially for those who have heart or lung conditions.
Wednesday, Oct. 2, 3:30 p.m.
Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency said Wednesday that Atlanta should expect more haze and chlorine smell in the air as smoke from a chemical fire in Rockdale County settles over the city on Thursday.
“It is important to know that as the air settles each evening, smoke settles towards the ground as well,” the agency said in a statement. “As the air lifts back up in the afternoon and evening, the smell and haze should dissipate. Chlorine has a very low odor threshold, meaning you can smell it before it reaches a harmful level.”
The city said it is still monitoring air quality levels coming from the plume of smoke and said residents could notice the chlorine smell for days.
Rockdale County still has a shelter-in-place order from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. each night until Friday.
Tuesday, Oct. 1, 8:25 p.m.
Rockdale County is recommending that residents shelter in place from 7 p.m. until 7 a.m. each night until Friday as smoke continues to rise from the BioLab chemical fire.
Officials said “air quality readings may dip to concerning levels for those in direct exposure to the plume.”
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that Georgia Poison Control has received more than 330 calls from people reporting symptoms related to the BioLab fire and chemical release, executive director Dr. Gaylord Lopez said.
The most common complaints have been skin irritation, watery eyes and nausea. Some people have complained about chest tightness and slight difficulty in breathing, the AJC reported.
Tuesday, Oct. 1, 1:20 p.m.
The City of Atlanta has released this update on the air quality situation:
While Rockdale County continues their response to the BioLab fire that has resulted in a chlorine smell in parts of Atlanta, the City of Atlanta continues to monitor the situation for impacts here.
The Atlanta Fire Rescue Department continues to conduct daily air quality testing, including the I-20 corridor near Candler Road, Flat Shoals Road, Moreland Avenue, and surrounding areas closest to Rockdale County and expanding westward through Atlanta. Test results continue to yield readings at zero, indicating no threats to life safety.
We continue to await comprehensive health guidance from the agencies responsible for public health and environmental health – the Fulton County Board of Health, the Georgia Department of Public Health, and the Georgia Environmental Protection Division.
Visit https://dph.georgia.gov for more health-related information and guidance. For residents with concerns about air quality, we continue to share the following precautionary measures: stay indoors, close all windows and doors, turn off any ventilation systems that pull in air from the outside, and follow the advice of your doctor or other health care provider about medicines and your respiratory management plan if you have asthma or another lung disease.
If you have symptoms that may be related – such as nose, throat, or eye irritation, or difficulty breathing – call your health provider or the Georgia Poison Center at 404-856-6252. For the latest info from the EPA, visit https://www.epa.gov/ga/conyers-ga-biolab-fire.
Tuesday, Oct. 1, 8:30 a.m.
Rockdale County reinstated a shelter-in-place order on Tuesday morning as the fire at the BioLab facility continues to send a cloud of chlorine-filled smoke into the air.
Rockdale had lifted the shelter-in-place order Monday night but reissued the order as wind patterns dispersed the plume.
“We ask that you shelter in place if the plume moves over your vicinity or if there is a strong odor of chlorine,” Rockdale officials said in a statement. “If you have respiratory issues, we encourage you to shelter in place. We will provide an update as quickly as possible.”
The Georgia Poison Center has created a hotline for calls relating to symptoms. If you have symptoms that may be related – such as nose, throat, or eye irritation, or difficulty breathing – call your health provider or the Georgia Poison Center at 404-856-6252.
The Atlanta Fire Rescue Department is conducting additional air quality testing in Atlanta, according to a notification sent by the city at about 8:30 a.m.
The city said it continues to await additional health guidance from the Georgia Department of Public Health. Visit
https://dph.georgia.gov for more health-related information.
For the latest info from EPA, view live data from the site visit https://www.epa.gov/ga/conyers-ga-biolab-fire.
Original Story
Atlanta and Fulton County officials said Monday morning they are investigating reports of a “haze and strong chemical smell” caused by a fire at a Conyers chemical plant over the weekend.
Air quality tests have come back within “acceptable levels” and do not pose life-threatening issues, according to the city of Atlanta.
The Georgia Emergency Management Agency issued a public safety alert shortly before 2 p.m. about the air quality in metro Atlanta, saying chemical levels are “unlikely to cause harm to most people.”
BioLab, a chemical plant that manufactures pool and spa chemicals, caught fire on Sunday. The fire and chemical reactions created a large plume of smoke seen for miles. About 17,000 Rockdale residents were evacuated from the area. State and federal environmental agencies said they detected chlorine in the air from the chemical fire.
A portion of Interstate 20 was shut down on Sunday, but reopened Monday morning. Rockdale residents are being urged to shelter in place, to turn off the air conditioner and keep windows and doors shut.
BioLab said in a written statement it is working with first responders, local authorities and teams from out of state to remediate the situation as quickly as possible.
And while the lab is 24 miles southeast of Atlanta, Rough Draft has received reports from around the metro – including Kirkwood, Reynoldstown, Tucker, Decatur and Summerhill – about haze and the smell of chlorine in the air.
Monday afternoon, the city of Atlanta issued a news release saying air quality tests conducted by the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department in the city “have come back within acceptable levels.”
AFRD is focusing on potential volatile organic compounds, chlorine, hydrogen sulfide, oxygen, and carbon monoxide levels. Crews are using handheld monitors and drones for the tests, which take five minutes or less and focus on identifying any immediate life-threatening conditions, according to the city.
“We have tested West from Candler Road to Moreland Avenue closest to the incident and are continuing to test other parts of Atlanta. So far, all results have come back within acceptable levels,” the city said. “Based on the latest tests, no immediate life safety issues have been identified. The haze observed earlier is also beginning to clear from the city.”
The Georgia Department of Public Health put out a statement Monday afternoon that said “no significant toxicity has been identified in the smoke.”
The department did say people should limit exposure to smoke by taking precautions such as staying inside and keeping windows and doors closed. Turning the air conditioner off is also recommended.
The smoke can cause symptoms such as eye irritation, coughing and headaches, according to the state health department. Those with asthma or other lung diseases and those with heart disease could experience much more serious breathing symptoms.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens posted to social media on Monday morning that no warnings or advisories have been reported for Atlanta. He said the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department and the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport are conducting air quality control checks.
The city is also in contact with the federal Environmental Protection Agency and state Environmental Protection Division to monitor the situation, he said.
“At this time, no warnings or advisories have been issued. We will continue to coordinate with the EPA and EPD and all updates will be posted on our social channels. If you have concerns stay inside, close windows and doors, and turn off ventilation systems,” Dickens said.
Atlanta-Fulton County Emergency Management Agency said it is also investigating the reports of haze and chemical smells in Fulton County, likely caused by the BioLab fire.
“We do believe it’s related to the BioLab fire, but why we are seeing the change in conditions is what we are attempting to figure out. Latest plume modeling indicates it moving to the northeast, which it is clearly not,” the agency said.
DeKalb County Emergency Management Agency and DeKalb County Fire Rescue are testing air quality throughout the day, according to a news release.
“DeKalb Emergency Management Agency is aware of numerous reports of air quality concerns in the county following a chemical fire Sunday at a laboratory in Conyers. Currently, there are no advisories from the Georgia Environmental Protection Division for DeKalb County concerning air quality,” the news release said.
“DEMA and DeKalb County Fire Rescue are testing air quality throughout the day around the county and will issue advisories should they become necessary. Residents are advised to call 311 to report any air quality concerns.”
As of 1:35 p.m., DeKalb County School District (DCSD) and Atlanta Public Schools (APS) have cancelled afterschool activities. Midtown High School’s homecoming football game against Jackson High School was delayed on Friday, Sept. 27 due to closure of schools after Tropical Storm Helene, and is in jeopardy of being delayed again today.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
