No injuries were reported, but more than 50,000 residents were under evacuation orders over the Memorial Day weekend.
GARDEN GROVE, Calif. — Authorities have been working to find safe solutions damaged tank Hazardous chemicals used to make plastic parts at a Southern California aerospace facility triggered evacuation orders affecting tens of thousands of residents.
GKN Aerospace’s tanks contain approximately 6,000 to 7,000 gallons (22,713 to 26,498 liters) of methyl methacrylate Too hot last week and began spewing vapors into the air around the Orange County city of Garden Grove. Officials said over the weekend that the tanks could leak all the chemicals and even explode if they overheated.
Firefighters have been spraying water into the tanks to cool the chemicals heating up inside, and authorities hope a tank crack that occurred over the weekend will relieve pressure and reduce the risk of explosions. Officials said there was no active leak and no chemicals escaped from the tank.
No injuries were reported, but more than 50,000 residents were under evacuation orders over the Memorial Day weekend.
Why is this chemical dangerous?
Methyl methacrylate is a flammable, colorless liquid used in the production of resins, plastics and plastic dentures and is a federally regulated hazardous substance. It can irritate the lungs, eyes and skin, and high doses can cause decreased lung function, along with dizziness and memory problems. according to to the Environmental Protection Agency.
Over long periods of time, exposure to methyl methacrylate can cause serious respiratory problems or render a person unconscious.
The test found that the air pollution level in the evacuation area was within the normal range.
What’s wrong with the water tank?
Officials said the tank’s drain valve was not working properly, adding that if action was not taken, a massive chemical leak or explosion could occur.
Firefighters worked to keep the tank’s temperature below 85 degrees Fahrenheit (29.4 degrees Celsius) to relieve pressure. On Sunday, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said the most likely scenario would be a “small release” of the tank’s contents so officials could “monitor, eliminate and contain the threat.”
What would happen if it exploded?
If the temperature inside the tank increases, as the methyl methacrylate converts from liquid to gas, it can cause pressure to build, increasing the risk of an explosion that could ignite other tanks on site.
Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong, Orange County’s top health official, said an explosion that releases chemicals would spread them over a wider area and could create vapors that would be harmful to inhale.
Aerial photos taken by The Associated Press showed empty streets in the area on Sunday, while several evacuation shelters remained open.
The evacuation zone is west of Anaheim, home to Disneyland’s two theme parks, which are not under evacuation orders. Chinsio-Kwong said people outside the evacuation zone did not need to worry about health impacts.
What happens next?
Officials said Sunday that cracks in the tank could reduce the risk of an explosion. Orange County Fire Department Capt. Wayhowe Huang said the tank did not appear to be releasing any toxic chemicals into the atmosphere.
Orange County Fire Department interim chief TJ McGovern said in a video posted to the agency’s X account late Sunday that fire officials planned to send a team out on an “overnight mission” to determine if the pressure had eased, which would reduce the worst-case scenario for an explosion.
Zeldin said a small, controlled release of the chemical would allow officials to relieve pressure on the tanks. GKN Aerospace said on Sunday it would continue to work with local authorities.
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