The Georgia Emergency Management Agency Homeland Security Agency alerted citizens across the state on behalf of the Environmental Protection Division around 1:50 p.m. Sept. 30 due to a fire at the BioLab plant in Conyers that started Sept. 29. The alert which was sent to most cell phones said, “The EPA is monitoring air quality for chlorine and related compounds. Chemical levels are unlikely to cause harm to most people.”
Pike County EMA director Jimmy Totten said he has been contacted by concerned citizens who say they can smell chlorine. Totten has reached out to the U.S. National Weather Service in Peachtree City and was informed the are tracking the smoke plume and closely monitoring any areas that could be affected.
“Currently, the winds are from the south and east, pushing the plume in the direction of Athens,” he said. “There is no current danger for Pike County.”
He said because there have been several reports of smelling chlorine, he is continuing to reach out to different agencies. He is currently in south Georgia helping with cleanup from Hurricane Helene. He updated the Journal Reporter around 2:50 p.m., noting that after speaking with GEMA representatives, that it would be possible to smell chlorine because there is so much of it in the atmosphere.
“I was informed that if you don’t have a problem being around a pool and smelling the chlorine, you should not have a problem being outside right now,” said Totten. “I don’t think it’s anything major to worry about but we are trying to make sure everyone is safe.”
According to AccuWeather, air quality in Pike County is fair, which is “generally acceptable for most individuals. However, sensitive groups may experience minor to moderate symptoms from long-term exposure.”
Weather Underground rates the air quality as measured at the Williamson station as Moderate, warning, “If you suffer respiratory issues, reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.”
The AccuWeather site notes that Fine Particular Matter are inhalable pollutant particles with a diameter less than 2.5 micrometers that can enter the lungs and bloodstream, resulting in serious health issues. The most severe impacts are on the lungs and heart. Exposure can result in coughing or difficulty breathing, aggravated asthma, and the development of chronic respiratory disease.
“Our top priority is ensuring the community’s safety, and our teams are working around-the-clock to respond to the ongoing situation at our facility in Conyers, Georgia. We continue to work collaboratively with first responders and local authorities and have deployed specialized teams from out of state to the site to bolster and support their efforts. We are all focused on remediating the situation as rapidly as possible.”
Emma Cloyd, senior associate with Kekst CNC, contacted the Journal Reporter around 3:30 p.m. Sept. 30 with the following statement from BioLab:
“Our top priority is ensuring the community’s safety, and our teams are working around-the-clock to respond to the ongoing situation at our facility in Conyers, Georgia. We continue to work collaboratively with first responders and local authorities and have deployed specialized teams from out of state to the site to bolster and support their efforts. We are all focused on remediating the situation as rapidly as possible.”