On Sunday, September 29th, a fire broke out at the BioLab facility in Conyers, Georgia. This initial blaze has transitioned into an ongoing chemical reaction, producing a plume that has kept parts of Conyers under evacuation orders and surrounding areas of Rockdale County under shelter-in-place advisories. Many residents have reported itchy eyes, respiratory issues, and other health problems since being exposed to the cloud. If you or a loved one have been impacted by this incident, the Atlanta personal injury attorneys at Monge & Associates may be able to assist.
What We Know About the BioLab Fire in Conyers
On Sunday morning, a fire broke out on the BioLab facility’s roof. Although initially extinguished, the fire reignited in the afternoon, which triggered the building’s sprinkler system. This water then mixed with water-reactive chemicals stored on-site, leading to a chemical reaction that has sent a massive plume of chemicals into the air.
BioLab, which manufactures swimming pool and spa treatment products, houses a variety of chemicals used in water treatment. The Atmospheric Science and Chemistry Measurement Network reported alarming increases in air pollutants, with chlorine-containing particles showing a 1,400-times increase and bromine-containing particles a 170-times increase over Decatur on Monday morning.
After the fire and subsequent chemical reaction, an estimated 17,000 people in Conyers were evacuated and several roads in the area were closed.
What to Do If You Live in an Area Affected by the BioLab Fire
The Rockdale County shelter-in-place order was lifted Monday evening, but residents near the plant are still advised to shelter in place from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. until Friday. However, people in many other counties—including Gwinnett, Fulton, and DeKalb—have noticed chemical odors as well as health impacts from the chemical plume.
If you have been affected by the BioLab fire, keep these tips in mind:
- Limit outdoor activities, especially if you detect a chlorine odor in the air.
- If you are in the evacuation area, remain away from your home until authorities deem it safe to return.
- Keep your windows and doors closed and turn off HVAC systems that draw outside air into your home.
- If you experience any emergency symptoms, seek medical attention as soon as possible from a hospital.
- If you develop non-emergency symptoms that you believe are associated with the BioLab fire, contact this special hotline set up by the Georgia Poison Center: 404-856-6252.
Multiple Class Actions Lawsuits Are Being Filed Against BioLab
This is not the first time that an incident at a BioLab plant has caused harm to the surrounding communities. In fact, this is not even the first incident at the Conyers facility. Previous events include the following:
- 2020: A chlorine vapor cloud caused by a chemical reaction led to evacuations and a six-hour closure of Interstate 20.
- 2016: Trichloroisocyanuric acid was left in BioLab’s waste storage site and began smoking as it started to break down. This required a fire department response.
- 2004: A major fire broke out at a warehouse that contained 12.5 million pounds of pool chemicals. Thousands of people needed to evacuate, and the fire caused massive environmental damage, killing many fish at a nearby lake.
In response to this incident, a class action lawsuit was filed on September 30th in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. The lawsuit alleges negligence on the part of BioLab, claiming that the company’s actions led to the chemical fire and subsequent harmful fume release.
As the situation develops, affected residents are advised to document their experiences, keep records of any medical treatments or expenses incurred, and consider seeking legal counsel to understand their rights and potential avenues for compensation.