State and Federal Agencies Continue Monitoring Rockdale County Biolab Fire Incident (Oct. 2)

(ATLANTA) – The Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD), the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH), in coordination with the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), continue to monitor air quality levels as weather patterns change throughout the Atlanta metro area through the week.

Overnight, monitoring around the Bio Lab facility detected some exceedances above the action level for chlorine. Workers on site have continued to make progress in neutralizing the product. As the neutralization process continues, periodic increases in chlorine levels around the facility are expected.

EPA, Georgia EPD, and local officials will have the Trace Atmospheric Gas Analyzer (TAGA), which is a self-contained mobile laboratory capable of real-time monitoring of outdoor air or emissions.

The current weather models show the winds will begin to shift from the east to the west after sunset Wednesday. Smoke is predicted to settle towards the ground as it moves toward Atlanta. There is a high likelihood that people across Metro Atlanta will wake up on Thursday morning seeing haze and smelling chlorine.

It is important to know that as the air settles each evening, smoke settles towards the ground as well. As the air lifts back up in the afternoon and evening, the smell and haze should dissipate. Chlorine has a very low odor threshold, meaning you can smell it before it reaches a harmful level.

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.

Limiting your exposure to the smoke and taking precautions to protect your health is important.

Limit your activities outdoors and stay inside and away from the smoke.
Keep indoor air as clean as possible. Keep windows and doors closed. Run your air conditioner only if you can close the fresh air intake and use re-circulated air.
The elderly, children, and people with compromised immune systems should stay indoors or limit outdoor activities to prevent exposure to smoke.
If you have asthma or another lung disease, follow the advice of your doctor or other health care providers about your respiratory management plan and medicines. 

At this time, chlorine levels in the air sit at safe levels, however, out of an abundance of caution, continue to follow the advice of your local EMA’s. However, if you experience symptoms like the ones mentioned above, please contact your health provider or the Georgia Poison Center at 404-856-6252.