Why is Garden Grove chemical tank leak so hard to fix?
Los Angeles Times • • general
Key Points:
- A pressurized tank containing 7,000 gallons of methyl methacrylate (MMA), a toxic chemical used in plastics production, in Orange County is at risk of exploding or leaking, posing serious health and environmental hazards.
- Fire crews are working to cool the tank, currently at 61 degrees with a goal of 50 degrees, to prevent a thermal runaway reaction that could lead to a catastrophic explosion or toxic leak.
- The crisis began when the tank's temperature rose, causing bulging and venting of vapors, and efforts to inject a neutralizing agent failed due to clogged valves likely caused by polymerization inside the tank.
- Evacuations have been expanded to multiple cities, and officials warn the only remaining options are a major leak or explosion, while cooling efforts continue to buy time and potentially allow safer mitigation measures.
- This incident is unprecedented locally but highlights risks inherent in chemical storage, recalling past industrial accidents that led to stricter safety regulations in the chemical industry.