A chemical fire two counties to the northeast of Peachtree City and 40 miles from Fayetteville has brought air quality cautions to Fayette residents since Sunday.
But officials emphasize that almost no unsafe fumes have made their way to Fayette County, especially since prevailing winds have primarily been blowing from west to east.
NO official warnings or advisories have been issued that involve Fayette County residents.
The Rockdale fire chief said the white cloud of the plume is produced — not by fire — but by water from the sprinklers reacting with chemicals stored in the facility.
“We are aware of the incident in Conyers, Georgia, and are working diligently to ensure the safety of those in and around Peachtree City,” according to an email Monday afternoon from Peachtree City officials.
City leadership, Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS), in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Division (EPD) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is actively monitoring the air quality in the wake of the Rockdale County BioLab fire. The primary concern is potential exposure to chlorine and related compounds.
Current Situation:
• According to EPA assessments, the chemical levels in the air are unlikely to cause harm to most people.
• No official warnings or advisories have been issued at this time.
• Peachtree City parks remain open; city-related outdoor activities are not canceled.
Precautionary Measures:
For residents with concerns about air quality, the city advises you to:
• Limit your time outdoors.
• Close all windows and doors.
• Turn off ventilation systems (e.g., air conditioning, fans) to prevent outside air entering your home.
Ongoing Efforts:
The City will continue to monitor the situation and provide regular updates as they become available. All relevant data and further advisories will be shared with the public through the following:
• Peachtree City social media channels.
• Fayette County Fire and Emergency Service phone app.
• Guidance from county Emergency Management Agencies (EMA).
Providers or facilities with questions about health and safety concerning the BioLab fire in Conyers can contact The Georgia Poison Center at 404-856-6252.
News reports have the fire starting on the plant roof in Conyers early Sunday morning. Sprinklers opened up, causing a hot reaction with some chemicals on pallets in the facility. That water-reactive chemical released a cloud of what smelled to many people like chlorine gas.
The plant is said to be run by a company that produces Clorox-branded pool cleaning products made with chlorine. The fire is out, officials said, but the cloud keeps coming. One scientist said that chlorine is not water-reactive, so a different chemical must be involved.
Meanwhile many Rockdale residents have been urged to shelter in place through Tuesday, and county offices are closed.
