### Major Chemical Fire at Georgia BioLab Facility: Thousands Evacuated and Investigations Underway

**Conyers, GA** - A significant fire at BioLab's Plant 12 storage warehouse on September 29 led to mass evacuations, road closures, and hospitalizations due to the release of chemical plumes and toxic vapors. The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) has issued an update on the incident, revealing critical details about the events and ongoing investigations.

According to the CSB report, an employee at the Conyers site detected an issue at 5 a.m. upon hearing a 'popping sound' and noticing wet product. Immediate attempts to isolate the reactive product failed, and large vapor plumes prompted a 911 call by 5:10 a.m. Although no flames were initially visible, a fire was observed through the roof of the facility by 6:30 a.m. Rockdale fire crews managed to extinguish the blaze by 8 a.m., but a second fire erupted around noon, creating thick, multicolored smoke visible for miles.

The second fire triggered an evacuation order for the surrounding area. Interstate 20 was closed by 1 p.m., and the building was destroyed by the time the blaze was contained around 4 p.m. Residents reported a strong chlorine odor and haze drifting toward Metro Atlanta. Air monitoring by the Environmental Protection Agency identified hazardous levels of chlorine and hydrogen chloride gases between September 30 and October 2.

The chemicals stored in Plant 12 included 99% trichloroisocyanuric acid (TCCA) and 99% sodium dichloroisocyanurate (DCCA), both solid oxidizers with the potential to release toxic and corrosive gases. Also present was bromochloro-5,5-dimethylimidazolidine-2,4-dione (BCDMH), which can release additional toxic gases upon decomposition.

For several weeks following the incident, shelter-in-place warnings were issued for those within a two-mile radius. The EPA continued air monitoring until October 17, when concentrations of hazardous chemicals fell below actionable levels.

BioLab has committed to addressing the aftermath, opening a claims center in Conyers which has seen substantial community engagement. However, local officials have criticized the company for inadequate communication. The incident has compounded BioLab's history of safety issues, including a similar evacuation event in 2004 and a chemical reaction causing another major incident in 2020.

The CSB's ongoing investigation aims to determine the exact causes of the chemical decomposition and fire, assess storage and handling protocols for oxidizers, and review industry guidance on fire protection systems. "This incident and the substantial potential risk that it posed to the surrounding community was completely unacceptable," stated CSB Chairperson Steve Owens, emphasizing the need for stringent management of reactive chemicals. The board’s final recommendations will be detailed in a comprehensive report.

Several lawsuits are already in motion, including a federal case lodged by Rockdale County, as concerns about the long-term environmental impacts of the blaze persist. The community and officials await further findings and remedial actions to prevent future incidents of such magnitude.