MELVILLE, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In response to a four-alarm-fire that erupted on September 29, 2024, at Bio-Lab's facility in Conyers, Napoli Shkolnik has filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for Northern District of Georgia today on behalf of Rockdale County, GA, against Bio-Lab, Inc. and KIK Consumer Products Inc.
The incident resulted in the release of hazardous chemicals, including chlorine, chloramine, and bromine, creating a significant smoke plume that poses serious health risks to the surrounding community. Located 24 miles east of downtown Atlanta, Conyers is part of the Atlanta metropolitan area.
The fire prompted immediate emergency responses from local authorities, including shelter-in-place orders and evacuation zones affecting thousands of residents. This lawsuit highlights the defendants' alleged blatant disregard for safety protocols and industry standards, which contributed to the severity of the incident.
At a press conference in Conyers on held on Monday, October 21, Napoli Shkolnik Partner Shayne E. Sacks said, “Our goal is not only to address the immediate health and safety issues, but also to set a precedent that enhances corporate responsibility and accountability as it relates to our environment and community.”
Key Points of the Federal Lawsuit:
Alleged Negligence in Safety Protocols: The defendants failed to secure and manage hazardous materials on-site adequately and did not maintain effective fire suppression systems. Their negligence directly contributed to the intensity of the fire and the subsequent chemical release.
Historical Safety Violations: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has documented numerous compliance violations at the Bio-Lab facility over the past five years under the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.
Despite local and state safety regulations, the defendants did not implement sufficient precautions to prevent such incidents. This includes a lack of adequate employee training on emergency response, insufficient and malfunctioning fire control systems, and poor maintenance of safety equipment. Such negligence directly contributed to both the intensity of the fire and the subsequent release of harmful chemicals into the atmosphere.
Previous Incidents: This is not the first time Bio-Lab's Conyers facility has faced scrutiny due to safety issues. In September 2020, a chlorine vapor cloud led to significant road closures and evacuations. In 2016, a chemical incident involving trichlorisocyanuric acid required intervention from the Rockdale County fire department. A major fire in 2004 prompted extensive evacuations due to the presence of hazardous pool chemicals.
The USEPA has been conducting continuous real-time monitoring of air quality since the fire occurred. Additionally, the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) is sending investigators to assess this major chemical fire.
Rockdale County is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of its residents and will pursue all necessary legal avenues to hold Bio-Lab and KIK Consumer Products accountable for their actions.
For more information on air quality monitoring related to this incident, please visit EPA Conyers Fire Monitoring.
About Napoli Shkolnik
Powerhouse national law firm Napoli Shkolnik firm provides representation in complex environmental litigation, including cases involving hazardous substances and their adverse impact on communities.
With a dedicated team of attorneys and a proven track record of success, Napoli Shkolnik provides exceptional legal representation and fights for justice on behalf of those affected by environmental wrongdoing.
