BioLab Cited $60K After Blaze Erupts At GA Facility

CONYERS, GA — Months after a BioLab chemical fire billowed chlorine into the air, impacting multiple counties, federal officials said the company must pay around $60,000 for improper storage and other violations.

The blaze at the Conyers-based manufacturing facility, which caused a massive overcast of smoke in Rockdale County, was due to improperly stored hazardous chemicals, the U.S. Department of Labor said Monday.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited BioLab for six violations, four of which were serious. OSHA proposed the manufacturer pay $61,473 in penalties.

BioLab has 15 days after receiving the citations and penalties to either comply with them, request an informal meeting with OSHA's area director or contest the findings.

“Consistent with our commitment to working collaboratively with OSHA, we continue to dialogue with the agency and its representatives as we work together to further enhance our safety procedures for the future,” the company said in a statement to the Associated Press.

The fire sparked around 5:30 a.m., Sept. 29, 2024, before reigniting around noon, setting free "harmful irritant chlorine" into the air and causing a stir in Rockdale County and neighboring counties.

The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board's preliminary probe in November 2024 indicated the fire and smoke were a reaction to heat-generated materials that were being stored in a warehouse. The materials deteriorated, released toxic vapors and erupted fires.

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Investigators identified the primary materials as trichloroisocyanuric acid and sodium dichloroisocyanurate, which are both used to disinfect swimming pools.

By 6:30 a.m., visible flames ballooned above the area of the chemical reaction and were extinguished in less than two hours.

Then, around 12:30 p.m., first responders began evacuations, and a second larger fire ignited at the plant and was extinguished hours later by 4 p.m., the CSB said.

Chlorine and other hazardous substances filled the smoke plumes and "caused significant offsite impacts," the CSB said.

The Environmental Protection Agency advised elevated chlorine and hydrogen chloride levels were in the air from Sept. 30-Oct. 2, specifically at nighttime, the CSB said.

Outdoor activities in Rockdale, DeKalb and Gwinnett counties were all impacted, and thousands of residents in Rockdale was placed under a local emergency.

BioLab is a manufacturer of chlorinates that kill algae and bacteria in a vast amount of water, particularly in swimming pools and hot tubs, and converts raw materials and packages of finished recreational water-care products for sale, the CSB said.