Chlorine-Filled Air Triggers Local Emergency, Impacts 3rd GA County

Updated 3 p.m.

CONYERS, GA — A local area emergency was declared Monday for Rockdale County after another one of its neighbors reported being affected by a fire at the BioLab chemical plant in Conyers.

The area emergency was issued by the Georgia Emergency Management Agency and Homeland Security.

The fire billowed chlorine into the air, now affecting the DeKalb County School District. Earlier Monday, Gwinnett County Public Schools said its outdoor activities were impacted.

Rockdale County Fire Rescue Chief Marian McDaniel in a video update said the front and both sides of BioLab collapsed. Around 2 p.m., McDaniel said crews were working to remove debris.

The massive blaze on Sunday sparked around 5:30 a.m. before reigniting around noon. Fire crews had it under control by 4 p.m., McDaniel said.

McDaniel blamed the cause of the fire on a malfunctioning sprinkler, the Associated Press reported.

The "harmful irritant chlorine" emanated in the air and was found to come from BioLab, county officials said. The findings were based on air quality surveys from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Environmental Protection Division, county officials said.

County officials recommended turning off air conditioning and closing windows and doors. They added businesses should shut down during the shelter-in-place order.

As Rockdale residents continued to shelter in place Monday, they were not the only ones shaken by the fire.

Though there are no safety orders in DeKalb, school officials said they are canceling all outdoor after-school activities and athletic events. This includes Towers High matchup against Southwest Whitfield High at Cobb Stadium and Stephenson High's contest against North Clayton High.
School officials said games outside of DeKalb will not be affected.

Aftercare at elementary schools will operate like normal, the district said.

"This precautionary measure helps ensure the safety and well-being of our students, staff and families. ... The District continues to regularly communicate with the DeKalb Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) regarding the situation in Rockdale County and will provide updated guidance as needed," DeKalb school officials said in a news release.

DeKalb County officials said earlier Monday its emergency management agency has received multiple reports of air quality concerns since the BioLab blaze.

DeKalb EMA officials and DeKalb County Fire Rescue will test the air quality throughout the county, officials said. They asked residents with air quality concerns to call 311.

In neighboring area Gwinnett County, public school officials said shifting winds and the county's closeness to Rockdale has "negatively impacted" the air quality in portions of Gwinnett.

Due to this impact, the school system is canceling all outdoor activities and events for Monday. School officials made the announced on the school system's website.

"We have stopped outside air from coming into our buildings. We will continue to monitor the air quality, and we are in touch with Gwinnett County and the Department of Public Health regarding our best next steps to ensure safety. We do know that Rockdale County has reported it may take some time for the fire cloud to dissipate. Until the air quality improves, we encourage all families and staff to limit time outside and keep windows and doors shut," Gwinnett school officials said in the notice.

Georgia Gwinnett College said it is not currently permitting outside air to enter its buildings.

With the expectation the smoke should clear by noon, college officials tweeted afternoon indoor classes and campus operations will continue.

"The Environmental Protection Agency and Gwinnett County Fire Department’s Hazardous Materials teams officials are continuing to monitor the smoke and have not detected any toxic levels of the chemicals within the smoke. In an abundance of caution, officials advise people not to be outside any longer than necessary, especially those who have conditions that cause breathing difficulties," college officials tweeted.

All Rockdale government facilities were closed Monday after the fire Sunday at the Dogwood Drive plant prompted evacuations, road closures and the shutdown of Interstate 20. Around 7 a.m. Monday, county officials said I-20 had reopened on both sides.

“Our top priority is ensuring the community’s safety, and our teams are working around-the-clock to respond to the ongoing situation at our facility in Conyers, Georgia. We continue to work collaboratively with first responders and local authorities and have deployed specialized teams from out of state to the site to bolster and support their efforts. We are all focused on remediating the situation as rapidly as possible," representatives for BioLab said in a statement sent to Patch.

BioLoab makes pool and spa treatment products, according to the U.S. Chemical Safety Board.

Around 8:30 a.m. Monday, the following roads remained closed: Lester at Sigman, Farmer at Sigman, Irwin at Main Street, General Arts at Signman, Dogwood at West Avenue, Green at West Circle, Old Covington at Sigman, Sigman at Rockbridge and Dogwood Circle at Motel 6.

More than 90,000 residents live in Rockdale, according to the latest U.S. Census data. Its county seat, Conyers, housed at least 17,000 people.

As of early Monday morning, no air quality alerts had been issued for Rockdale or DeKalb.

Aside from Gwinnett and DeKalb, Rockdale is also neighbored by Walton, Henry and Newton counties.