Authorities have been scrambling to find a safe resolution asa damaged tankat a Southern California aerospace facility containing a hazardous chemical used to make plastic parts prompted an evacuation order affecting tens of thousands of residents.
Southern California Chemical Tank
The storage tank at GKN Aerospace with about 6,000 to 7,000 gallons (22,713 to 26,498 liters) of methyl methacrylateoverheated last weekand began venting vapors into the air around Garden Grove, a city in Orange County. Officials said over the weekend the tank could leak all the chemical or even explode if it overheats.
Firefighters have been spraying the tank with water in an effort to cool the chemicals heating up inside, and authorities were hopeful that a crack in the tank that occurred over the weekend would relieve pressure and reduce the risk of an explosion. Officials say there's no active leak and no chemicals have escaped from the tank.
No injuries have been reported, but more than 50,000 residents were under an evacuation order 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 hazardous substance regulated by the federal government. It can irritate the lungs, eyes and skin and in high doses can cause reduced lung function, along with dizziness and memory problems,accordingto the Environmental Protection Agency.
In prolonged cases, exposure to methyl methacrylate can cause serious respiratory problems or render a person unconscious.
Tests have found that air pollution in the evacuation zone is within normal limits.
What is the problem with the tank?
The tank's drainage valves are not functioning, officials said, adding that without action, there could be either a large chemical spill or an explosion.
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Firefighters focused on keeping the temperature of the tank under 85 degrees F (29.4 degrees C) to relieve pressure. On Sunday, EPA chief Lee Zeldin said the most likely scenario is a “low-volume release” of the tank’s contents, so officials can “monitor, neutralize, and contain the threat.”
What happens if it explodes?
If the temperature inside the tank rises, it will cause pressure to build as the methyl methacrylate converts from a liquid to a gas, increasing the risk of explosion, which could ignite other tanks at the site.
A blast that releases the chemical would send it into a wider area and could create vapors that are hazardous to inhale, according to Orange County's top health officer, Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong.
Aerial photos taken by The Associated Press showed streets in the area were empty Sunday, while several evacuation shelters were open.
The evacuation zone is west of Anaheim, home to Disneyland’s two theme parks, which were not under evacuation orders. Chinsio-Kwong said people outside the evacuation zone don't need to worry about health impacts.
What happens next?
Officials said Sunday that the crack in the tank could potentially lower the risk of an explosion. Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Wayhowe Huang said the tank did not appear to be releasing any of the toxic chemical into the atmosphere.
Fire officials planned to send in a team for “an all-night mission” to determine if the pressure has been relieved, which would reduce the worst-case scenario of an explosion, Orange County Fire Authority interim chief TJ McGovern said in a video posted late Sunday to the agency’s X account.
Zeldin said a low-volume and controlled release of the chemical would allow officials to relieve pressure on the tank. The company, GKN Aerospace, said Sunday that it continues to work with local authorities.
Authorities have been scrambling to find a safe resolution asa damaged tankat a Southern California aerospace facility containing a haz...
