Orange County Methyl Methacrylate Explosion Risk Still Possible, 16,000 Remain Evacuated

President Trump declared a national emergency on Memorial Day for Garden Grove, California, in Orange County, for a tank of Methyl methacrylate that could potentially explode. 50,000 people were evacuated from the area on Thursday. Officials were concerned that a Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion (BLEVE) was possible, described as a “catastrophic explosion.” That risk has now been eliminated, according to officials, but there is still a risk of a smaller explosion.

Monday night, the Orange County Fire Authority (OFCA) posted that the evacuation zone had been substantially shrunk after the risk of BLEVE was eliminated. The worst-case scenario was eliminated as pressure was relieved from a crack in the tank. According to the last OFCA update, there is no current leakage. There are still 16,000 people under evacuation orders as of Tuesday morning.

“We’re doing our best to figure out when or how we can prevent it,” said OFCA Division Chief Craig Covey. “There are literally two options left remaining. One, the tank fails and spills a total of about 6,000 to 7,000 gallons of very bad chemicals into the parking lot in that area. Or two, the tank goes into a thermal runaway and blows up.”

The temperature of the Methyl methacrylate exceeded 100 degrees, which is more than double the optimum temperature for the chemical. The local authorities sprang into action, and Covey said it was not a precautionary measure as the tank is going to fail. The most recent update said the temperature had dropped to 93 degrees, but it is still significantly above the optimal range and doesn’t guarantee that a smaller explosion will not occur.

Methyl methacrylate is a chemical typically used to manufacture shatter-resistant acrylic glass (plexiglas), paints, high-strength structural adhesives, and dental/orthopedic materials. It is a volatile, flammable liquid that is dangerous in its raw form, as it exists in the failing tank on GKN Aerospace’s property.

Acute exposure to the chemical can cause respiratory symptoms, such as chest tightness, and neurological symptoms, such as a heavy sensation in the arms and legs. Chronically exposed workers have experienced reduced lung function, and occupational exposure has been associated with cardiovascular disorders.

OFCA crews performed on-the-ground work to prevent the chemical from reaching storm drains, sewers, and waterways. Crews built physical containment barriers, dikes, sand berms, and diversion channels around the tank and parking lot to keep the hazardous chemicals on site.

President Trump’s emergency declaration allows FEMA to deploy assistance to the area to support the 785 local and state crews that have been on the ground working to minimize harm to local communities in the event the tank fails. Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency on Friday. There are currently firefighters, hazardous materials experts, environmental scientists, transportation crews, law enforcement officers, and public health officials working on the ground to minimize harm.

The HighWire has reported on several chemical disasters over the last several years, including East Palestine, OH, Conyers, GA, and Roseland, LA. FOIA requests revealed by The HighWire in Roseland showed the EPA was privately concerned about a “grave threat” to human health while publicly stating there is no imminent threat. These communities have all had residents who have experienced significant health effects in the aftermath of hazardous chemical exposure.

Residents from East Palestine, Conyers, and Roseland have also complained about the lack of support from state and federal agencies to protect their families from chronic exposure to hazardous chemicals. Independent scientist, whistleblower, and inventor Scott Smith has been on the ground in all of these communities to independently test the level of hazardous chemicals compared to the EPA testing reports. Smith has accused the EPA of being a public relations arm for the industry it is intended to regulate and failing to conduct testing in a way that helps the local residents understand the true risks and exposure levels. Smith’s common statement is “you can’t find what you don’t look for.”

Garden Grove in Orange County, CA, is one of the most populated and wealthiest counties in the country, while East Palestine and Roseland are rural communities. Residents of EP and Roseland are noting that no federal disaster declaration was issued during the exposure, and that the EPA downplayed health concerns and risks in the aftermath. Families have been continually exposed during cleanup efforts without the financial support to relocate to a safer location. EP residents have had cancers, and Roseland residents have had severe and chronic neurological issues.

Maximilian Alvarez, editor-in-chief and journalist for the Real News Network, warned his family, friends, and followers that there is still a very real danger of an explosion in Garden Grove despite media reports that the “worst case scenario” has been averted.

The small evacuation zone may not reflect the potential danger zone that could exist if an explosion occurs. In East Palestine, officials conducted a “controlled burn” to avoid a potential explosion, which was confirmed by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to be an unnecessary and harmful decision. The evacuation zone in EP had a 1-mile radius, but the plume from the controlled burn spread across 16 states. 48 hours after the burn, the evacuation order was lifted, and residents returned home.