BioLab Fire: Nightly shelter-in-place order expires in Rockdale County

ROCKDALE COUNTY, Ga. — After more than a week of nightly shelter-in-place orders in Rockdale County, the county’s order expired Monday morning.

Since a fire at the BioLab facility last week sent a chemical plume in the air, the Rockdale County Emergency Management Agency has been telling all residents to stay in their homes from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.

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The order was extended late last week until Monday morning at 7 a.m.

County offices, including the court and other government facilities, that were closed all week are expected to reopen to the public on Monday morning.

Officials said that chlorines, chloramine and chlorine compounds were released into the air from the fire that destroyed the factory early Sunday morning.

RELATED STORIES:

• BioLab Fire: US Chemical Safety Board investigating BioLab fire, sends crew to Rockdale County
• BioLab Fire: County chairman says BioLab is bringing in outside help to assist with fire cleanup
• BioLab Fire: Rockdale superintendent explains decision to go to virtual learning next week

Dr. Lynn Paxton, interim health director for the Gwinnett, Newton and Rockdale health district, said those chemicals can cause irritation of the skin and the mucus membranes, including the eyes and nasal passages and the respiratory system.

It’s still unclear how long the haze from the chemical plume will be visible across metro Atlanta.

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BIOLAB FIRE: Company responds to school district’s virtual learning decision Students in Rockdale County Public Schools are preparing to switch to virtual learning this week.

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