Updates on Hazmat Incidents in Georgia and Ohio

Chemical Plant Fire Affects 90,000 Near Atlanta

Update, 10/28/2024: Officials of Rockdale County plan to file a federal lawsuit in an effort to shut down a facility that was the source of a chlorine release late last month. The county also seeks compensation for the county and residents that were impacted by the release.

Key Facts

• Chlorine, chloramine and chlorine compounds, carbon monoxide, hydrogen chloride, and phosgene were all detected in the air.
• 17,000 residents had to evacuate the area.
• A shelter-in-place advisory was issued for 90,000 people.
• Shifting winds blew smoke plumes back and forth between cities, including parts of Atlanta.
• The local school district’s 15,000 students switched from in-person to virtual learning for 3 weeks.
• Drinking water remained safe.

Update, 10/7/2024: On Friday, October 4, the Rockdale County Government extended the shelter-in-place order through the weekend, which ended at 7:00 a.m. on Monday, October 7, 2024. One of EPA's monitoring stations found chlorine concentration levels more than four times as high as the recommended action level from 1 a.m. to 3:15 a.m. on Wednesday, October 3.

“I’m not only calling for stronger federal regulations around the storage of hazard chemicals with reactive properties, but I’ll be on the side of those working to ensure the permanent closure of this plant."
U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson, ajc.com

Original article, 9/30/2024:

In the Atlanta metro area, officials recommended that more than 90,000 residents shelter in place and asked ~17,000 people to evacuate from the suburb of Conyers, GA, where a fire broke out at a chemical plant that manufactures pool and spa treatment products on Sunday, September 30.

The US Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) dispatched a team of investigators to the scene of the fire and chlorine release.  

The fire reportedly started on the roof of the facility at about 5 A.M. ET. Initial reports indicate that the fire started when a malfunctioning sprinkler head caused water to contact a water reactive chemical. On Monday, residents were told to continue sheltering in place.

Smoke from the fire in Conyers, GA could reportedly be seen for miles.

Air quality surveys showed that the large plumes of black, gray, and orange smoke that billowed above the facility contained chlorine. Chlorine exposure can cause burning of eyes, nose and mouth, cough, choking, vomiting, and other symptoms.

The roof of the facility has caved in. The smoke plume may be visible for several days, officials say. By Monday morning, hazy conditions and a chemical smell had drifted to Atlanta proper, leading Atlanta Fire Rescue to monitor air quality around the city. 

Styrene Leaks From Rail Car in Ohio

Update, 10/7/2024: Multiple class-action lawsuits involving 11 plaintiffs have been filed against multiple companies allegedly connected to the styrene release near Cincinnati, Ohio. A spokesperson for one company said affected residents could be reimbursed for expenses incurred due to the release.

Original article, 9/30/2024:

Schools, businesses, and more than 200 homes in Whitewater Township, OH were evacuated last week after the chemical styrene leaked from a rail car. 

Styrene is a flammable and toxic liquid used to make polystyrene, fiberglass, rubber, latex, and many other industrial products. When exposed to excess heat, styrene changes from a liquid to a gas. In this case, the change in physical state put tremendous pressure on the tank car's valve, which failed, venting gas upwards. 

Exposure to styrene gas can cause vomiting, dizziness, eye irritation, and respiratory complications. Officials have established air quality monitoring stations and did not detect concentrations of styrene in the air. The incident is under investigation. 

Lithium Batteries Explode and Burn in San Pedro, CA

Southern California experienced a hazmat transportation incident last week, too, on September 26. In San Pedro, a truck hauling a shipment of lithium batteries rolled over, exploded, and caught fire. 

The clip below comes courtesy of the towing company at the crash scene, who captured the moment a trailer violently blew open due to the batteries inside burning and venting gas.

NBC Los Angeles shared a statement from an LA City Fire official that highlights several challenges of fighting fires involving lithium batteries in transportation: 

“…the best course of action for this is to continue to let it burn. Lithium-ion batteries take copious amounts of water, so it’s generally better to just let them burn. It’s also better for the environment. We’re concerned about water runoff getting into the drains, eventually getting into the ocean. It could create an environmental disaster.” 

- Captain Adam Van Gerpen, LA City Fire Department

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Tags: hazardous materials, hazmat