Frequently Asked Questions

BioLab supplies swimming pool and spa water treatment products to customers globally.

BioLab’s Conyers facility produces swimming pool and spa water sanitization products. The building impacted in the incident was a warehouse that stored raw materials and components. Production and finished goods distribution facilities at the Conyers site are housed in separate buildings, which were not directly affected.

BioLab’s Conyers facility stores raw materials and packaging components to produce products that consumers use at their homes to clean swimming pools and spas. These raw materials include Trichlor (TCCA), a chemical commonly used to make Chlorinated Tablets to treat swimming pools to kill bacteria and algae, and Dichlor (DCCA), used to make swimming pool shock. Other raw materials stored are used to produce products for swimming pool and spa maintenance, such as water balance, pH control and water clarity.

Right now, BioLab’s top priority is the community’s safety, and we have been working diligently to remediate the situation as part of the Unified Command response team of first responders under the leadership of the Rockdale Fire Department. We recognize the importance of understanding what caused this incident, and intend to conduct a thorough review, collaborating closely with the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB), as it performs its review, as well as with other health and safety agencies.

The first, most immediate priority was to extinguish the fire at the warehouse, which stored raw chemicals and components. The fire and the water used to extinguish it resulted in smoke emanating from the facility. Additionally, when the chemicals stored in our facility come into contact with water, they slowly release chlorine – as they are intended to do when sanitizing a swimming pool. This release, and the water that was needed to control it, have contributed to the ongoing visible haze over our facility.

The priority now is to neutralize the wet chemical product in order to mitigate the continued reaction. This is a complex process that requires careful planning and execution, and is being coordinated by the Unified Command response team. To bolster these efforts, we have also deployed technical chemical and other specialists.

We have been fully focused on remediating the situation. We are grateful to the Unified Command response team of first responders, with whom we have been working diligently to address the ongoing situation.

We have also deployed two specialist hazmat crews from Mississippi and Louisiana to support the remediation efforts, two water management companies, and technical chemical specialists.

Air emissions are being actively monitored at the site and in the community by state, local, and federal authorities, and we are supporting these efforts. We are also working to remove any debris carried off-site by the wind, and activated a team tasked with collecting debris. Rockdale County has been testing the water and has been reporting that Rockdale County’s drinking water is safe since the incident began.

Moreover, our Executive Leadership Team is on the ground and engaging directly with local representatives and stakeholders on how we can best provide additional support.

This is a complex process that requires careful planning and execution, and is being led by the Unified Command response team. The first, most immediate priority was to extinguish the fire at the warehouse, which stored raw chemicals and components. Now, we are focused on neutralizing the wet chemical product in order to mitigate the continued reaction. Our top priority at all times has been to remediate the situation. We have been working diligently and are committed to using every resource necessary to make this right.

Unified Command (UC) is a group that was established to coordinate the incident response. The UC is led by the Rockdale County Fire Department, and comprises the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 4, Georgia Environmental Protection Division, the Georgia Emergency Management Agency, Rockdale County, and BioLab representatives.

The chemicals stored at the Conyers warehouse are in supersacks, which are large, industrial grade bags. This has been the longstanding standard for regulators and the industry.

We are grateful that no employee injuries were reported in connection with the incident at the site.

Please know that our top priority has been the safety of the community, and we deeply regret the impact the incident has had. The best way to determine how to proceed is to check the information posted by your local county – including updates from Rockdale County – and the EPA, which is working as part of Unified Command to monitor air quality and make recommendations around public protection measures.

It’s always best to refer to your local county – including updates from Rockdale County – and the EPA, which is working as part of Unified Command to monitor air quality and make recommendations around public protection measures.

As the EPA has indicated on its site, the odor threshold for chlorine is very low, meaning people can smell it at very low concentrations that do not cause harm.

BioLab has a number of initiatives underway to support the community, of which we are a part:

• We are opening a local Community Assistance Center, which will provide a central in-person location for local residents and business owners in Conyers to have direct access to information and help coordinated by BioLab, and where representatives of BioLab will be.
• Our donations to local organizations thus far include Rockdale Emergency Fund and United Way to support them in their efforts to assist local residents, and we are connecting with additional agencies to establish partnerships and provide further help.
• To supplement our existing efforts to remove debris carried off-site by the wind in public areas and roads, we are also establishing a service where interested parties will be able to request debris removal on residential properties.

We are engaged with residents, government officials, and other community stakeholders to identify additional ways to assist the community to ensure that local residents and businesses have the support they need. Our community’s input is incredibly important to us, and we are committed to using every resource necessary to making this right.

We are in the process of establishing a reimbursement procedure for hotel and food expenses for those who needed to leave the area due to the fire. More information will be provided on the Community Support page shortly.

We have begun the process of proactively reaching out to local businesses to develop pathways for support and will be available through our Community Assistance Center.

Key contact information can be found here.