On Tuesday 20 October, emergency services were called to an active leak from a 5,500-gallon tank at MC Tank Terminal, Toledo, OH, US. This led to the evacuation of everyone in a one-mile radius, and a shelter in place for everyone within a three-mile radius. Officials decided to let the tank vent and monitor the air quality, rather than seal the leak.
The chemical released was glycidyl methacrylate, an industrial coating product used in plastics, rubbers and resins. CNN reported that around 30 patients were treated due to the chemical’s status as an irritant that can cause the eyes, nose, mouth and skin to burn.
By Friday 23 October, evacuation orders were lifted after Toledo Fire & Rescue verified the tank had finished venting. It has approved a site safety plan and returned the site to the owners for cleanup, with guidance from US Environmental Protection Agency. Residents and businesses within the three-mile radius were advised to discard of any produce or crops grown outside, but that drinking water was unaffected.
