BioLab fire samples may have contained cancer-causing chemical

CONYERS, Ga. (WTOC) - New reporting reveals that samples collected after the BioLab chemical fire in Conyers of September 2024, may have contained hexavalent chromium, a cancer-causing chemical made widely known through the Erin Brockovich case.

State officials found elevated chromium levels in ash following the fire, which forced thousands of residents to evacuate or shelter in place. Experts warned that extreme heat from the fire could have transformed harmless chromium into its toxic form. However, testing specifically for hexavalent chromium was never completed.

Cleanup plans approved by the state did not include that testing, despite internal warnings from environmental experts. Independent scientists say without it, there is no clear answer on whether dangerous contamination remains in the community.

Residents say they were not informed about the potential risk and continue to question whether the area is fully safe.

As investigations continue, environmental experts warn that without proper testing, communities may never know the full health impact of the fire.