ROCKDALE COUNTY, Ga. — On Tuesday night, locals voiced health concerns at a packed community forum and called on county leaders to revoke the company's business license.
The meeting, held at a church near the plant on Rockdale Industrial Boulevard, drew over 100 attendees, many still grappling with the fire's aftermath. The incident, which shut down businesses and schools for days, has left residents questioning BioLab's future in their community.
"We’ve asked, we’ve pleaded," one resident said. "We don’t want them here."
Others shared harrowing accounts of their health struggles. Porch’se Miller, diagnosed with chemical inhalation and lung damage after the fire, fears the long-term effects. "The only way to fight this is for all the fighters to get together," she urged.
The fire sent a plume of toxic smoke across the area, prompting some businesses to relocate and dozens of people to seek medical care. "They checked my blood pressure and diagnosed me with lung damage," Miller recalled.
The forum also featured a panel with two women whose families were victims of the 2023 chemical disaster in East Palestine, Ohio. They came to Conyers to share their experience and fight for justice and advice.
"Chemical contamination you can't see. It looks normal, but it's like a hurricane still hovering over us," Jami Wallace said. Her words resonated with the crowd; many vowed to push for stricter accountability.
Residents are urging the Rockdale County Commission to revoke BioLab's business license by the end of the week. "Do you really care for our lives, or do you care about your money?" Miller asked.
In the end, Wallace's and other advocates' advice resonated with everyone: document everything, ask tough questions, and support one another.
11Alive contacted Rockdale County's Commission to inquire about the community's demands to revoke BioLab's license.
BioLab representatives have yet to comment publicly on the demands or their plans to rebuild in Rockdale County.