A chemical leak found within the GKN aerospace transparency facility in Garden Grove prompted evacuation within Garden Grove on May 21.
A 7,000 gallon industrial tank in the facility experienced a crack which contained methyl methacrylate (MMA), a highly flammable and toxic chemical used to manufacture plastics. As of May 23, the threat of a major explosion has since been contained as firefighters performed an operation to test the pressure in the cracked tank, according to CBS news.
“The material in that tank is pretty volatile and it’s used to make plastics used in aerospace parts,” physics teacher Charity Lizardo said. “And as far as I know, the problem with it is that it started heating up for an unknown reason, and because of the way that this chemical works, once it heats up and starts to undergo this chemical reaction, it actually produces more heat as it reacts. It just started producing heat almost uncontrollably because of that, and that’s what led to the whole disaster.”
In order to stabilize the tank as its internal temperature rose to 100°F, emergency crews worked throughout the Memorial Day weekend. After pressure was released from a confirmed crack in the tank, the temperature stabilized to and stabilized to 93°F, according to IQ Air.
“It’s crazy that things so dangerous are just near neighborhoods,” junior Ava Lily Sunga said. “Because even small things, like smoke, can really affect a person and their health.”
CBS news states that the risk of a worst-case scenario, BLEVE (Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion), has been eliminated, according to Orange County Fire Authority Interim Chief TJ McGovern. However, an agency spokesperson said the remaining flammable material in the tank still has the potential to burn and ignite. Evacuation orders will remain in place for an undisclosed amount of time.
“I wasn’t too concerned about people in Irvine,” junior Hiba Laique said. “But I was feeling empathy for the people of the neighboring cities and people who were forced to evacuate from their homes. We need more information, just in case if something were to happen, how can we protect ourselves from this type of harm.”
Over 50,000 people were under evacuation orders. Those in Garden Grove and nearby were evacuated for safety reasons a day after the event occurred, according to Orange County Sheriff’s Department. However, as of May 26, all evacuation orders have been lifted.
