The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) has released new details about the Sept. 29, 2024, chemical fire at the BioLab facility in Conyers, Georgia. The fire, which started in a storage warehouse containing pool chlorinating agents, resulted in widespread evacuations, road closures, and environmental monitoring.
Incident Summary:
• Date: Sept. 29, 2024
• Location: BioLab, Conyers, Georgia
• Details: A chemical reaction involving stored materials caused fires, releasing toxic vapors and plumes of smoke. The facility was destroyed.
• Community Impact: The incident prompted shelter-in-place orders, evacuations, and a temporary closure of Interstate 20. Nightly warnings extended through mid-October due to ongoing off-gassing.
Key Findings:
1. Stored Chemicals: The warehouse held trichloroisocyanuric acid (TCCA), sodium dichloroisocyanurate (DCCA), and bromochloro-5,5-dimethylimidazolidine-2,4-dione (BCDMH)—solid oxidizers that release toxic gases upon decomposition.
2. Fire Watch: The facility had implemented a permanent fire watch months before the incident, citing odors and potential decomposition risks. At the time of the fire, two employees were on-site performing these duties.
3. Event Timeline: The fire began with audible signs of chemical reaction and escalated rapidly. Emergency responders extinguished the initial fire within hours, but a secondary fire caused additional structural collapse.
Environmental Monitoring:
• The EPA and third-party monitors detected chlorine and hydrogen chloride at levels exceeding safety guidelines immediately following the incident.
• Persistent low-level emissions were monitored until Oct. 17, 2024, when the EPA concluded its oversight, transferring responsibilities to the Georgia Environmental Protection Division.
Why It Matters: Residents endured weeks of disruption, with health and safety concerns amplified by the release of toxic gases.
Next Steps:
• Investigation Continuation: The CSB will focus on the causes of decomposition, storage protocols, and emergency response strategies.
• Final Report: Findings and recommendations will be included in the CSB’s comprehensive report.
The Report: In the interest of transparency and full disclosure, the entire report is below for you to read for yourself.
B.T. Clark
B.T. Clark is an award-winning journalist and the Publisher of The Georgia Sun. He has 25 years of experience in journalism and served as Managing Editor of Neighbor Newspapers in metro Atlanta for 15 years and Digital Director at Times-Journal Inc. for 8 years. His work has appeared in several newspapers throughout the state including Neighbor Newspapers, The Cherokee Tribune and The Marietta Daily Journal. He is a Georgia native and a fifth-generation Georgian.
