Air Quality Monitoring in Atlanta

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Statement on Conyers, Georgia Incident: Air Quality Monitoring in Atlanta

We are aware of the incident in Conyers, Georgia and are working diligently to ensure the safety of those in and around Atlanta. The Atlanta Fire Rescue Department and the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International airport are conducting air quality control checks. At this time, no warnings or advisories have been issued. We will continue to coordinate with EPA and EPD and all updates will be posted on our social channels. If you have concerns stay inside, close windows and doors, and turn off ventilation systems.

City of Atlanta Update – October 4 at 8:20 AM

FAQs :

What can I expect from short-term exposure to chlorine?

Coughing
Irritation or burning sensation in the eyes, nose, and throat
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Wheezing in patients with preexisting asthma or COPD
Chest tightness or pain
Watery eyes or blurred vision
Nausea or vomiting

If you develop severe respiratory symptoms, call 911 or go to the Emergency Department. If symptoms are less severe, contact your healthcare provider or the Georgia Poison Center at 404-856-6252.

What symptoms can I expect from long-term exposure to chlorine?

Symptoms of exposure include:

Coughing
Irritation or burning sensation in the eyes, nose, and throat
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Wheezing in patients with preexisting asthma or COPD
Chest tightness or pain
Watery eyes or blurred vision
Nausea or vomiting

Severe symptoms may lead to:

Wheezing in people who haven’t wheezed before
Swelling of the throat
Fluid buildup in the lungs (pulmonary edema)
Severe respiratory distress

If you develop severe respiratory symptoms, call 911 or go to the Emergency Department. If symptoms are less severe, contact your healthcare provider or the Georgia Poison Center at 404-856-6252.

Is there a home remedy for chlorine exposure?

There are no home remedies or treatments available. The best protective measures are:

Limit exposure and follow EMA guidance on shelter-in-place or evacuation.
Limit your activities outdoors and stay inside and away from the smoke.
Keep indoor air as clean as possible. Keep windows and doors closed. Run your air conditioner only if you can close the fresh air intake and use re-circulated air.

Note: Cloth, surgical, or N95 masks provide only limited protection, if any.

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City of Atlanta Employee Update – October 3 at 5:30 PM

City of Atlanta Employee Update – October 2 at 5:00 PM

City of Atlanta Update – October 2 at 3:15 PM

According to the Atlanta-Fulton County Emergency Management Agency (AFCEMA) Chlorine levels in the air are currently safe in Fulton County, and no active advisories are in place.

With your health and safety as our top priority, we are committed to providing precautionary guidance specific to Atlanta and to keeping you informed as we monitor the situation unfolding in Rockdale County.

According to a joint statement from, Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD), the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH), in coordination with the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) air quality levels are continuing to be monitored as weather patterns change throughout the Atlanta metro area through the week.

The current weather models show the winds will begin to shift from the east to the west after sunset Wednesday. Smoke is predicted to settle towards the ground as it moves toward Atlanta. There is a high likelihood that people across Metro Atlanta will wake up on Thursday morning seeing haze and smelling chlorine.

It is important to know that as the air settles each evening, smoke settles towards the ground as well. As the air lifts back up in the afternoon and evening, the smell and haze should dissipate. Chlorine has a very low odor threshold, meaning you can smell it before it reaches a harmful level.

Smoke that contains chlorine compounds can cause various symptoms including irritation of the eyes and airways, coughing, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, chest tightness, a scratchy throat, irritated sinuses, headaches, stinging eyes, or a runny nose. People with heart disease might experience chest pain, palpitations, shortness of breath, or fatigue. People with lung disease may not be able to breathe as deeply or as vigorously as usual, and they may experience symptoms such as coughing, phlegm, chest discomfort, wheezing, and shortness of breath.

Limiting your exposure to the smoke and taking precautions to protect your health is important.
Limit your activities outdoors and stay inside and away from the smoke.
Keep indoor air as clean as possible. Keep windows and doors closed. Run your air conditioner only if you can close the fresh air intake and use re-circulated air.
The elderly, children, and people with compromised immune systems should stay indoors or limit outdoor activities to prevent exposure to smoke.
If you have asthma or another lung disease, follow the advice of your doctor or other health care providers about your respiratory management plan and medicines.
At this time, chlorine levels in the air sit at safe levels, however, out of an abundance of caution, continue to follow the advice of your local EMA’s. However, if you experience symptoms like the ones mentioned above, please contact your health provider or the Georgia Poison Center at 404-856-6252.

We will continue to monitor this situation and will update you once new information is available.

Click here for the full release State and Federal Agencies Continue Monitoring Rockdale County Biolab Fire Incident | Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency.

We also recommend checking the following helpful links for more information:

Rockdale County: https://www.rockdalecountyga.gov
EPA: https://www.epa.gov/ga/conyers-ga-biolab-fire

Atlanta-Fulton County Emergency Management Agency Regarding Smoke Conditions in Fulton County as of October 2

The Atlanta-Fulton County Emergency Management Agency is continuing to coordinate with the Georgia Emergency Management Agency, Georgia Environmental Protection Division, Fulton County Board of Health, and other agencies regarding the BioLab fire in Rockdale County and its effects on Fulton County.

At this time, chlorine levels in the air are at safe levels and there are no active advisories in place in Fulton County. Rockdale County Emergency Management Agency has issued a shelter-in-place advisory that applies within in Rockdale County.

While wind patterns this week have been primarily in an easterly direction, weather forecasts show that winds are expected to shift in a westerly direction starting Wednesday night. This shift in wind patterns may increase the presence of smoke and airborne chlorine in Fulton County and other parts of the state located west of Rockdale County.

It is predicted that haze and chlorine smell will be most noticeable in parts of Fulton County in the morning hours starting on Thursday, October 3. This pattern may last for several days, possibly through Sunday, October 6.

Fire departments across Fulton County are continuing air quality monitoring. AFCEMA is coordinating with these agencies.

The Georgia Poison Center has shared additional guidance about exposure to irritant gases such as chlorine.

Chlorine has a very low odor threshold, meaning that it can be smelled before it reaches a harmful level.

Smoke that contains chlorine compounds can cause various symptoms including irritation of the eyes and airways, coughing, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, chest tightness, a scratchy throat, irritated sinuses, headaches, stinging eyes, or a runny nose. People with heart disease might experience chest pain, palpitations, shortness of breath, or fatigue. People with lung disease may not be able to breathe as deeply or as vigorously as usual, and they may experience symptoms such as coughing, phlegm, chest discomfort, wheezing, and shortness of breath.

Limiting your exposure to the smoke and taking precautions to protect your health is important.
Limit your activities outdoors and stay inside and away from the smoke.
Keep indoor air as clean as possible. Keep windows and doors closed. Run your air conditioner only if you can close the fresh air intake and use re-circulated air.
The elderly, children, and people with compromised immune systems should stay indoors or limit outdoor activities to prevent exposure to smoke.
If you have asthma or another lung disease, follow the advice of your doctor or other health care providers about your respiratory management plan and medicines.

Fulton County will continue to monitor conditions and provide additional updates as needed.

Residents can sign up for alerts from the Atlanta- Fulton County Emergency Management Agency at www.fultoncountyga.gov/falcon.

City of Atlanta Update - October 1 at 12:35 PM Atlanta Air Quality Update

While Rockdale County continues their response to the BioLab fire that has resulted in a chlorine smell in parts of Atlanta, the City of Atlanta continues to monitor the situation for impacts here.

The Atlanta Fire Rescue Department continues to conduct daily air quality testing, including the I-20 corridor near Candler Road, Flat Shoals Road, Moreland Avenue, and surrounding areas closest to Rockdale County and expanding westward through Atlanta. Test results continue to yield readings at zero, indicating no threats to life safety.

We continue to await comprehensive health guidance from the agencies responsible for public health and environmental health – the Fulton County Board of Health, the Georgia Department of Public Health, and the Georgia Environmental Protection Division. Visit https://dph.georgia.gov for more health-related information and guidance.

For residents with concerns about air quality, we continue to share the following precautionary measures: stay indoors, close all windows and doors, turn off any ventilation systems that pull in air from the outside, and follow the advice of your doctor or other health care provider about medicines and your respiratory management plan if you have asthma or another lung disease.

If you have symptoms that may be related - such as nose, throat, or eye irritation, or difficulty breathing - call your health provider or the Georgia Poison Center at 404-856-6252.

For the latest info from the EPA, visit https://www.epa.gov/ga/conyers-ga-biolab-fire.

City of Atlanta Update - October 1 at 8:25 AM

Rockdale County has issued a new shelter in place order for Rockdale County.

The Georgia Poison Center has created a hotline for calls relating to symptoms. If you have symptoms that may be related - such as nose, throat, or eye irritation, or difficulty breathing - call your health provider or the Georgia Poison Center at 404-856-6252.

The Atlanta Fire Rescue Department is conducting additional testing of our air quality in Atlanta.

We continue to await additional health guidance from the Georgia Department of Public Health for health. Visit
https://dph.georgia.gov for more health-related information.

For the latest info from EPA, view live data from the site visit https://www.epa.gov/ga/conyers-ga-biolab-fire

City of Atlanta Update – October 1 at 7:51 AM

We are aware that Rockdale County has issued a new shelter in place order. The Atlanta Fire and Rescue Department is conducting additional testing of our air quality in Atlanta and awaiting additional guidance from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

City of Atlanta Update – Monday, September 30 at 2:15PM

The Georgia Emergency Management Agency on behalf of the Environmental Protection Division released a public safety alert due to the Rockdale County BioLab Fire, advising "The EPA is monitoring air quality for chlorine and related compounds. Chemical levels are unlikely to cause harm to most people."

For residents with concerns, we continue to advise the following precautionary measures. If you are worried about air quality, please stay indoors, close all windows and doors, and turn off any ventilation systems until further notice.

Please follow us on our social media platforms and go to atlantaga.gov for updates.

City of Atlanta Update – Monday, September 30 at 12:45PM

Statement Regarding Air Quality Testing and Life Safety

While we are receiving reports that the Conyers, GA fire is producing smells, in Atlanta as far as East Point, College Park, Dekalb County, Hartsfield Jackson Airport and beyond, the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department (AFRD) has been actively conducting air quality tests throughout the city. AFRD are focusing on potential volatile organic compounds, Chlorine, Hydrogen Sulfide, Oxygen, and Carbon Monoxide levels. Based on the latest tests, no immediate life safety issues have been identified. The haze observed earlier is also beginning to clear from the city.

AFRD is using handheld monitors and utilizing drones for these tests, which take five minutes or less and focus on identifying any immediate life-threatening conditions. We have tested West from Candler Road to Moreland Ave closest to the incident and are continuing to test other parts of Atlanta. So far, all results have come back within acceptable levels.

In addition to AFRD’s efforts, we have requested further testing from the Environmental Protection Division (EPD) around AFRD stations 4, 13, 12, and 18. The City of Atlanta is also awaiting guidance from the Fulton County Health Department and Georgia Department of Public Health.