Department Menu
Newsroom
Public Relations will share press releases here.
Rockdale County Lifts Shelter in Place Except for the 2-Mile Radius Around Biolab
ROCKDALE COUNTY PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
October 7, 2024
Rockdale County Lifts Shelter in Place Except for the 2-Mile Radius Around Biolab
ROCKDALE COUNTY, Ga. –
ROCKDALE COUNTY, Ga. – Rockdale County Emergency Management Agency lifts shelter in place except for the two-mile radius around Biolab.
This recommendation is based on data over the last five consecutive days. Readings have not indicated exceedances of chemicals in the air that would require sheltering in place for areas outside of the two-mile radius. This two-mile radius includes a half-mile buffer zone.
Rockdale County residents and businesses within a 2-mile radius of Biolab should continue to shelter in place from 7:00 pm to 7:00 am until further notice.
This recommendation reduces the number of those affected by the shelter-in-place and alleviates the associated obstacles. Air monitoring will continue across the county, including areas around schools, nursing homes, and other sensitive areas. General monitoring will continue throughout the county.
A map outlining the two-mile radius included in the shelter in place can be found on the Rockdale County website. An affected address look up can be found at the following link: https://rb.gy/iovq3g.
Please continue to monitor Rockdale County’s social media and website (www.rockdalecountyga.gov) for all updates, as this information is fluid.
We appreciate the public’s patience during this incident.
Rockdale County Government Extends Shelter-in-Place Order, Plans to Reopen to the Public on Monday
ROCKDALE COUNTY PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
October 4, 2024
Rockdale County Government Extends Shelter-in-Place Order, Plans to Reopen to the Public on Monday
ROCKDALE COUNTY, Ga. –
Rockdale County Government is extending the shelter in place through the weekend.
Rockdale County Emergency Management Agency (EMA), based on information received from the Environmental Protection Division (EPD) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), advises all Rockdale County residents to continue to shelter in place from 7:00 pm to 7:00 am through the weekend and will end at 7:00 am on Monday, October 7, 2024.
Rockdale County will be reopening to the public beginning Monday, Oct. 7, 2024. Rockdale County Court, Court Annexes, and government facilities have been closed to the public since Monday, September 30. However, county staff have continued to work.
Beginning on Monday, Rockdale County Court, Court Annexes, and government facilities will be open normal hours. Rockdale County parks will close at 6 pm.
Please continue to monitor Rockdale County’s social media and website (www.rockdalecountyga.gov) for all updates, as this information is fluid.
We appreciate the public’s patience during this incident.
FAQ Biolab
We are committed to providing you with the best and most accurate information possible. To help with that, we’ve compiled an initial list of frequently asked questions below.
Biolab Incident 2024, Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the chemicals being detected by EPA air monitoring?
- Chlorine, chloramine and chlorine compounds
- EPA air quality detectors are monitoring the following as well:
-
-
- Carbon Monoxide
- Hydrogen Chloride
- Phosgene
-
- Is the water safe?
Rockdale County’s drinking water remains safe. Water samples are being tested three times daily, and all results have returned safe levels. Streams downstream from the Biolab facility do not feed into the Hanes Watershed, the source of Rockdale County’s drinking water.
- Why is the shelter in place only for the evening?
In the evening atmospheric inversion is occurring trapping air and pollution, and the harmful chemicals closer to the ground. This causes unhealthy spikes in air quality for people not sheltering in place in the evening.
Why is it different than during the day? During the day, the sun heats the Earth’s surface, warms the air near the ground. At night, with no sunlight, the ground loses heat and the air near the surface cools. The air higher up doesn’t cool as fast, so you end up with cooler air near the ground creating inversion.
The recommended shelter in place is 7pm as the sun is beginning to set.
- What are the possible reactions to chlorine compounds?
Smoke that contains chlorine compounds can cause various symptoms including irritation of the eyes and airways, coughing, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, chest tightness, a scratchy throat, irritated sinuses, headaches, stinging eyes, or a runny nose. People with heart disease might experience chest pain, palpitations, shortness of breath, or fatigue. People with lung disease may not be able to breathe as deeply or as vigorously as usual, and they may experience symptoms such as coughing, phlegm, chest discomfort, wheezing, and shortness of breath.
- If you are feeling sick, what do you do?
It’s important to protect your health from the plume that contains chlorine compounds.
Here’s what you can do:
-
- Stay indoors and avoid outdoor activities.
- Keep your home’s air clean by closing windows and doors. Use your air conditioner only if it recirculates indoor air.
- Older adults, children, and those with weakened immune systems should limit time outside to avoid smoke.
- If you have asthma or lung issues, follow your doctor’s advice on managing your condition.
- While chlorine levels are currently safe, follow local emergency guidelines. If you experience symptoms, contact your healthcare provider or the Georgia Poison Center at 404-856-6252.
HELPFUL RESOURCES:
For air quality data, please utilize the EPA website: www.epa.gov/ga/conyers-ga-biolab-fire.
Georgia Poison Center at 404-856-6252
Department of Agriculture: Chemical Fire Safety for Animals: https://agr.georgia.gov/sites/default/files/documents/emergency-response/20241001-2-chemical-fire-flyer.pdf
Georgia Emergency Management Agency: https://gema.georgia.gov/press-releases/2024-10-02/state-and-federal-agencies-continue-monitoring-rockdale-county-biolab
Rockdale County Provides Critical Update on Ongoing Biolab Incident
ROCKDALE COUNTY PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
October 1, 2024
Rockdale County Provides Critical Update on Ongoing Biolab Incident
ROCKDALE COUNTY, Ga. – Rockdale County held a press conference today to provide updates on the ongoing Biolab incident. Rockdale County Chairman Oz Nesbitt Sr., Conyers Mayor Vince Evans, along with representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA), Lynn Paxton, the Interim Director for Gwinnett, Newton, and Rockdale Health District, and key County Leadership, including the Rockdale EMA Director and Fire Chief, addressed the public. They reassured the community that efforts were underway to manage the emergency swiftly and safely.
At 3:30 a.m., on Oct. 1, 2024, a notification came in from operations at Biolab that a plume was hovering over the county because of over-gassing of the product. The plume has been moving across the county, influenced by the weather. The EPA has been actively monitoring air quality. Residents are urged to shelter in place if the plume or smell of chlorine is over their area until the cloud has passed. This is especially critical for individuals with respiratory conditions. It is essential to stay aware of the wind shifts. Due to inversion, the plume is more prone to shift during the evening, and it is recommended to stay inside during evening hours if possible and keep emergency alert notifications on your phone active.
Biolab leadership is collaborating with Rockdale County Fire Services are working to neutralize and contain the chemical plume as efficiently as possible. The process involves controlled efforts to minimize the plume’s impact. The EPA and other officials have been fully briefed on the strategy. Health officials confirmed that air quality levels remain below harmful thresholds for the general public.
The EPA is monitoring air quality in real-time, and residents can access updates through the EPA website at epa.gov/current-events.
Water Safety:
Rockdale County’s drinking water remains safe. Water samples are being tested three times daily, and all results have returned safe levels. Streams downstream from the Biolab facility do not feed into the Hanes Watershed, a source of the county’s drinking water.
Health Recommendations:
Air conditions will fluctuate throughout the day and evening. Being outdoors during daylight hours is generally safe, but those with pre-existing respiratory conditions should remain indoors.
If you need to conduct essential business or gather supplies, do so during the day and remain vigilant about wind shifts. Due to evening atmospheric inversion, the plume is more likely to shift during nighttime hours. It is recommended that residents stay indoors after sundown and ensure emergency notifications are active on mobile devices.
Facility Closures: In the interest of public safety, Rockdale County Government offices, including the Courthouse and annexes, will be closed for the remainder of the week.
Important Contact Information and Information Resources:
- For non-emergency inquiries, please call the Rockdale EMA hotline: 770-278-8300
- For non-emergency poison-related concerns, Georgia Poison Control has set up a special hotline: 404-856-6252.
- Air Quality Monitoring, visit epa.gov/currentevents
- GRN website for ongoing recommendations and updates: https://www.gnrhealth.com/biolab-chemical-fire-information/https://dph.georgia.gov/smoke-biolab-chemical-fire
- Rockdale County Website, www.rockdalecountyga.gov
- Rockdale County Facebook, www.facebook.com/RockdaleGov
We appreciate the community’s continued cooperation and patience.
###
Address
958 Milstead Ave.
Conyers, GA 30012
Office Hours:
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Monday through Friday
Numbers:
Telephone: (770) 278-7050
Emails:
Publicrelations@rockdalecountyga.gov
