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ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—Community members are holding a candlelight vigil in memory of Kenny A. Johnson, Rockdale County Soil and Water Conservation District supervisor. The 62-year-old collapsed and died this week after testifying before a panel of state lawmakers about the toxic BioLab chemical fire and the impact the Sept. 29 toxic plant explosion has had on the community.
The outdoor vigil, which is open to the public, will be held on Oct. 15, 6 p.m., at the home of Rockdale community activist Josie Dean, 1524 Flat Shoals Road, S.W., Conyers.
“Kenny died fighting for the community. He knew a lot of things that were going on concerning that plant,” said Dean. “He was trying his best to warn us that all of the chemicals that the people had been exposed to were dangerous.”
Johnson died on Tuesday, Oct. 8, after testifying about the BioLab chemical fire during a public hearing that state lawmakers held at the Coverdell Legislative Office Building, located near the Georgia Capitol in downtown Atlanta. Johnson stated that he was having difficulty breathing as he stood at the podium, struggling to speak. He said BioLab had toxic chemicals stored at the plant, including sulfuric acid, that posed a hazard to the public. Johnson called for the shutdown of the plant and urged everyone in the Rockdale community who may have been exposed to the toxic plumes to have a blood test done. After speaking briefly, he walked out of the room and collapsed.
State Rep. Viola Davis, District 82, a registered nurse by profession, rushed to Johnson’s aid to perform CPR after someone came back inside the room and told the panel that Johnson had collapsed. Paramedics were called in to take Johnson to Grady Hospital, where he later died.
“Kenny dedicated years as the Soil and Water Conservation District representative and as an environmental justice advocate,” State Rep. Davis said in a statement. “His unwavering commitment to environmental justice and his testimony on the effects of the Biolab chemical fire on the community remain etched in our memories.”
The Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office said that due to the circumstances of Johnson’s death, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation has agreed to investigate, 11 Alive reported.
Members of the House and Senate Rockdale County Legislative Delegations, House Minority Caucus, and the DeKalb County Legislative Delegation heard from several people who shared how they have been impacted by the Biolab incident.
Rockdale residents were ordered to evacuate their homes on the day of the fire and then to shelter in place from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. for several days as teams worked to remove the swimming pool and spa chemicals BioLab makes. The cleanup is still underway, authorities said.
Meanwhile, on Oct. 7, Rockdale County Emergency Management Agency lifted the county’s shelter-in-place order, except for residents, businesses, and other entities located within a 2-mile radius of BioLab, which is located at 1700 Old Covington Highway, Conyers. Those within the 2-mile radius should continue to shelter in place from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. daily until further notice, officials said.
Rockdale County Public Schools(RCPS) announced that it is extending virtual learning for students through Oct. 18, as cleanup at the BioLab plant continues. Superintendent Terry Oatts said that about half of the district’s schools are located within the 2-mile radius of BioLab and the safety of all children, faculty, and district employees are top priority. RCPS is comprised of 18 schools and 15,601 students.
The three-member Rockdale Board of Commissioners voted earlier this week to pass a resolution declaring a State of Emergency to submit to Gov. Brian Kemp. Residents are still awaiting details concerning that assistance.
State Rep. Rhonda Taylor, House District 92, provides update
Meanwhile, State Rep. Rhonda Taylor, District 92, said on Saturday, Oct. 12, that she and a panel of state legislators are documenting testimonies from a public hearing they held on Oct. 8 at the Coverdell Legislative Office near the Georgia Capitol. The panel’s hearing was held on the same day as the Rockdale Board of Commissioner’s meeting, where members of the Rockdale community also spoke during Public Comments about the impact of BioLab.
The legislative panel , led by Rep. Taylor and State Sen. Tonya Anderson, heard testimonies from several residents and others from across the metro Atlanta area who shared how they have been impacted by the BioLab event, with many describing strong odors of chlorine, eye irritation, tingling sensation on their faces and lips, headaches, coughing, and chest aches resulting from plumes coming from the BioLab plant as cleanup of the site continues. Taylor said people not only in Rockdale have stated how they have been impacted but people from neighboring counties as well including DeKalb, Newton and Gwinnett counties.
There have been at least four significant fires at BioLab in the past two decades. The company manufactures pool and spa treatment products. The Sept. 29, 2024 BioLab fire was reportedly started by a sprinkler malfunction that caused water to mix with a reactive chemical known as trichloroisocyanuric acid (TCCA).
“We plan to present that information not only to BioLab officials but to make it publicly-known what people are experiencing as a result of the BioLab fire,” Taylor said. “There are people who sit here with symptoms and I’m one of them–and they might not know that it could be as a result of the chemical fire. We are compiling a list of resources to share that are being made available.”
DeKalb County Sheriff Melody Maddox gave an emotional testimony to the legislative panel as she discussed how the BioLab explosion has impacted her. Maddox said she lives 2.4 miles from the BioLab plant. She said an aunt of hers were among those who suffered health issues from the 2004 BioLab explosion.
You can hear the testimonies of Maddox; Kenny Johnson, Rockdale County Soil and Water Conservation District supervisor, and others who spoke at the Oct. 8 legislative hearing at the link:
Video via Atlanta News First
