Rockdale Co. residents are hearing from the coalition about how to respond to fires

CONYERS, Ga. – Rockdale County residents gathered at Movement Church on Tuesday, demanding answers about the health and environmental impacts of the major BioLab fire that occurred in September. The forum, which features experts and community advocates, highlights current concerns ranging from respiratory illnesses to raising funds for research.

Polaris Walls, a local resident, shared his frustration.

“I believe we need to get rid of BioLab. Sorry, not sorry,” Walls said, echoing the sentiments of many others who spoke to 11Alive.

Walls used bottled water for drinking and cooking, citing a distrust of tap water. Although he had his own tests done, he said the chemicals found in the BioLab fire were not listed.

“I don’t know where to really start doing tests like this,” he added.

Michaela Edwards, another resident, said she believes health issues are related to the fire.

“They just found out I have bronchitis,” Edwards said. “It was stated that it could have been triggered by chemicals in the air.”

Edwards said her doctor could only treat her symptoms.

“Why don’t we give doctors something to go by when it comes to treating us properly?” Edwards said.

RELATED: More than 20 lawsuits consolidated in federal court against BioLab following Conyers chemical spill

Community advocacy groups such as the Shut Down BioLab Coalition brought insights from communities affected by similar disasters, including East Palestine, Ohio, and Bhopal, India. They emphasized the broader impacts of chemical disasters and called their group “Bigger than BioLab.”

During a press conference ahead of the meeting, the organizations called for BioLab’s business license to be revoked. The groups said they coordinated with Sen. Raphael Warnock’s office, which they said corresponded with the CEO of KIK Consumer Products, the parent company. They believe residents should have been provided free personal protective products and refer to residents as “guinea pigs.” Officials said residents’ health insurance should cover the treatment because there is not enough research on the effects of multiple chemical exposures.

“Being a resource is critical,” said one coalition member. “If you’re not in this environmental movement, you don’t even know what resources are out there and who to turn to for research.”

Instead of commenting Tuesday, Rockdale County officials cited a lawsuit against BioLab’s parent company, KIK Consumer Products; In a statement, it said the district had hired the Napoli Shkolnik law firm.

“The complaint, filed in the Northern District of Georgia in October 2024, alleges various causes of action, including, but not limited to, violations of the Clean Air Act, negligence, public nuisance, and private nuisance,” the statement reads in part.

It said the legal process was ongoing.

“Rockdale County remains committed to transparency and ensuring the safety and well-being of its residents,” the statement said. “We will continue to take all necessary legal actions to hold Bio-Lab and its affiliates accountable for their actions.”

For residents like Edwards, the future remains uncertain.

“How long will it last?” “And will it ever go away?” she asked, encapsulating the community’s ongoing fears.

Cleanup efforts and investigations into the long-term effects of the BioLab fire are ongoing. 11Alive has reached out to BioLab for comment. We have not received a response yet.

RELATED: New details emerge about BioLab fire that forced thousands to seek refuge outside Atlanta