Dangers from damaged California chemical tank persist. Here what to know
Authorities were scrambling to find a safe solution. damaged tank The discovery of a hazardous chemical used to make plastic parts at an aerospace facility in Southern California led to an evacuation order affecting thousands of residents.
A storage tank at GKN Aerospace containing about 6,000 to 7,000 gallons (22,713 to 26,498 liters) of methyl methacrylate overheated last week and began leaking steam into the air around Garden Grove, a city in Orange County. Officials said over the weekend that the tank could leak all the chemicals and even explode if it overheated.
No injuries were reported, but more than 50,000 residents were under evacuation orders over Memorial Day weekend. Fire crews were constantly spraying water into the tank to cool the chemicals heated inside and prevent an explosion.
Why is this chemical dangerous?
Methyl methacrylate is a flammable, colorless liquid used in the production of resins, plastics, and plastic prosthetics and is a hazardous substance regulated by the federal government. This substance can irritate the lungs, eyes, and skin, and in high doses can cause dizziness and memory problems, as well as decreased lung function. based on To the Environmental Protection Agency. Air monitoring tests have so far revealed that air pollution around the evacuation zone is within normal limits.
What’s wrong with the tank?
Officials stated that the tank’s drain valves were not working, leaving the issue of what to do with the chemical inside as the threat of overheating remained. Local officials said there could be a major chemical leak or explosion if precautions are not taken.
Firefighters focused on keeping the temperature of the tank below 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?
Increasing the temperature inside the tank will cause pressure to build as the methyl methacrylate changes from liquid to gas, increasing the risk of explosion, which may cause other tanks on the site to ignite.
Orange County’s top health officer, Dr. According to Regina Chinsio-Kwong, an explosion that releases the chemical into the air would send it over a larger area and could create vapors that are dangerous to inhale.
If people inhale the vapor, it can cause irritation to the eyes, nose and lungs, cause a sore throat, burning eyes and even dizziness, Chinsio-Kwong said. He said the chemical has a fruity smell, but smelling it does not mean it will have negative effects on a person’s health.
In long-term cases, exposure to methyl methacrylate can cause serious breathing problems or render a person unconscious. The evacuation zone is west of Anaheim, home to Disneyland and two theme parks that are not under evacuation orders. Chinsio-Kwong said people outside the evacuation zone do not need to worry about health impacts.
What happens next?
Officials said Sunday that the tank may have cracked, potentially reducing the risk of an explosion. Orange County Fire Marshal Capt. Wayhowe Huang said emergency crews detected a possible crack in the tank overnight. Despite the crack, the tank did not appear to be releasing any toxic chemicals into the atmosphere, he said.
Zeldin said a low-volume, controlled release of the chemical would allow authorities to monitor it and relieve pressure on the tank. The company, GKN Aerospace, said Sunday afternoon that it was continuing to work with local authorities and that “the situation remains ongoing.”
