### Chlorine Gas Plume Over Atlanta Leads to Evacuations and Closures

A massive chlorine gas plume formed over Atlanta's skyline on Monday, prompting significant safety measures including evacuations, school closures, and government office shutdowns. The plume originated from a fire at the BioLab manufacturing plant in Conyers, a facility known for producing chemicals used in swimming pools and spas. This incident forced tens of thousands of Rockdale County residents to either evacuate or shelter in place.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Georgia Environmental Protection Division detected harmful levels of chlorine roughly 24 hours after the fire began. Despite this, officials reassured that the gas levels were unlikely to cause harm to most residents of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which has a population of 6.3 million.

On Sunday, approximately 17,000 residents near the BioLab facility were ordered to evacuate, while a stay-at-home advisory was issued for about 77,000 more, as the authorities prepared for the gas to potentially drift towards Atlanta. The BioLab plant, operational since 1973 and acquired by KIK Consumer Products in 2013, has a history of hazardous incidents, including fires in 2004 and 2020.

BioLab announced that all employees were accounted for with no injuries reported. "Our top priority is ensuring the community's safety," said the company's statement, confirming they are working with first responders and local authorities to manage the situation.

Rockdale County Fire Chief Marian McDaniel indicated that the fire had been extinguished and efforts were underway to clear debris and safely remove the chlorine-based products. While plumes of gas, characterized by a greenish-orange hue, may continue to be visible for several days, McDaniel emphasized that the worst was over.

The chemical smell spread across several Georgia counties, including DeKalb, Gwinnett, and Fulton. Although residents, including Jennette Gayer of Environment Georgia, reported seeing the haze and smelling chlorine, officials confirmed that the chemical levels in these areas were below harmful thresholds.

Governor Brian Kemp is receiving regular updates on the situation, which has compounded the state's challenges as it also deals with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Federal investigators have previously noted safety issues at the BioLab plant, including problems with its fire protection system and water pumps, contributing to the severity of past incidents.

This latest event underscores the ongoing risks associated with chemical manufacturing in the region and the necessity for stringent safety measures to prevent future occurrences.