Data for Observations of the Gas Phase Composition of the 2024 BioLab Industrial Plume in the Atlanta Metropolitan Area: Conyers, GA
Author(s)
Harper, Christine A.
Arterburn, Linda A.
Paredero, Katherine
El Asmar, Rime
Stewart, Mariama L.
Tanner, David J.
Roberts, James M.
Orlando, John J.
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Abstract
A fire at a pool chemical manufacturing facility in Conyers, Georgia on September 29, 2024, released a persistent chemical plume that impacted the Atlanta metropolitan area for over two weeks, leading to evacuation of more than 17,000 people. We used high-resolution time-of-flight chemical ionization mass spectrometry at our laboratory in Midtown Atlanta (21 miles from the facility) and deployed a quadrupole CIMS in Conyers to characterize plume composition. We observed unexpectedly high concentrations of Br₂ (up to 1.4 x 10² ppb) dominating early plumes, along with elevated HNCO (31 ppb) and numerous other compounds. Twenty-six species were identified, including reactive nitrogen-containing compounds (HNCO, cyanoacetic acid, cyanamide) and oxygenated volatile organic compounds (acetaldehyde). Br₂ concentrations in Midtown exceeded EPA one-hour AEGL-1 thresholds by a factor of four. Later measurements in Conyers showed Cl₂ reaching 3.7 x 10² ppb during the second week. Given that Midtown observations were 21 miles downwind, concentrations near the source in Conyers initially were likely 1-2 orders of magnitude higher. This study provides measurements of chlorine and particulate matter from a plume of pool chemical decomposition in Conyers, GA. Measurements from Midtown Atlanta of this event can be found at https://doi.org/10.35090/GATECH/79956.
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NSF #2509330
Date
2026
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