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.