No Timetable for Cleanup After Chemical Fire at Conyers BioLab

Residents of Conyers remain uncertain as cleanup efforts drag on after a chemical fire at a BioLab facility in Rockdale County. The fire, sparked by a chlorine-related chemical reaction, has raised significant health and safety concerns, with officials yet to offer a clear timeline for the site’s remediation.

🔥 Why It Matters: This isn’t just about a fire—it’s about public safety. Chemicals from the site are off-gassing into the air, and residents are left in the dark about what they’re breathing. Residents say the lack of transparency from Bio Lab and its parent company is fueling fear.

😷 What’s Happening:

• A sprinkler malfunction on Sunday led to water mixing with chlorine, setting off the chemical reaction that caused the fire.

• Rockdale County officials have confirmed chlorine is being released from the site, but they haven’t disclosed how many or which other chemicals were stored in the facility.

🕵️‍♂️ Between the Lines: BioLab’s history of nondisclosure is troubling. A former employee has hinted that the public might never know the full extent of chemicals stored on-site due to claims of “trade secrets,” an issue that arose after a similar fire in 2020.

📊 The Big Picture: Residents are understandably concerned about air quality. While initial tests showed chlorine levels at 0.1 parts per million—below the dangerous threshold of 0.5 ppm—many are wondering what other hazardous substances might still be circulating in their community. And with Bio Lab leadership staying silent, there’s a growing sense that accountability is in short supply.