Cancer-causing chemicals discovered in Rockdale County soil after BioLab fire, scientist finds

ROCKDALE COUNTY, Ga. - In Rockdale County, the results of an EPA whistleblower’s independent testing on the county’s water and soil shed new light on the effects of the massive chemical fire at the BioLab chemical plant in September. 

This new development came as demonstrators continued their calls to county officials to shut the plant down with a protest on Saturday.

"The bottom line is you can’t find what you don’t look for," Scott Smith told FOX 5.

For months, Smith has been looking for answers on behalf of Rockdale County residents concerned about what was left behind by the fire that prompted more than 17,000 evacuations in the face of widespread chlorine exposure.

"We’re really mad that this happened again…three times that we know of…that is not ok," resident Cathy Breedlove said.

Breedlove is one of several county residents who gave Smith permission to collect soil and water samples after black chunks of debris appeared in her yard.

"We’re obviously concerned about any dangerous compounds," she stated.

On Saturday, the environmental scientist shared the results of those tests with Breedlove at her home.

"We found specific semi-volatile organic compounds in the ash, and we found them in the soil," he said. "The pond came back without a concern," he added.

Smith said the results of testing in other areas showed the presence of dioxins—a chemical compound linked to cancer.

Those concerns have been a driving force behind protests as demonstrators call on county leaders to revoke the company’s business license.

In response to a request for comment, a Biolab spokesperson released the following statement:

"We respect community members’ right to gather peacefully and make their views known. BioLab worked collaboratively with first responders and local, state, and federal authorities to successfully remediate the situation at our Conyers warehouse, prioritizing at all times the health and safety of the community. At this time, the Conyers plant has not resumed manufacturing operations, and any resumption of these operations will only be undertaken with approval from authorities and regulators. 

Throughout this situation, we have worked continuously to address the needs of impacted area residents and business owners, having responded to tens of thousands of calls and emails and thousands of individuals at our Community Assistance Center. These efforts have been in addition to a range of other support initiatives – all consistent with our commitment to helping the community."

The spokesperson did not issue a response to a request for comment about the test results. 

Members of the Shut Down Biolab Coalition tell FOX 5 they’ll continue to bring those demands to county leaders in the new year.

OTHER RECENT BIOLAB STORIES

• Lawmakers to hear from residents affected by Conyers BioLab fire
• Shelter-in-place order remains in place for 2-mile radius around BioLab facility
• Residents near Conyers BioLab report finding unidentified, 'hazardous' debris in their yards

"It doesn’t matter what the rhetoric is. If people are continuing to suffer, they’ve done not even a drop in the bucket of what needs to be done to make the people of Rockdale whole," activist Monica Johnson told FOX 5.

FOX 5 Atlanta has reached out to the EPA and Rockdale County officials for additional comment on the preliminary results. We’re still waiting to hear back.