Developing: Authorities in Toledo, Ohio, say a chemical tank release involving glycidyl methacrylate prompted evacuation and shelter-in-place orders after a leak at the MC Tank Transport terminal in north Toledo.
According to USA TODAY, the tank began leaking late on Oct. 20, and city officials said the chemical was still being emitted the morning of Oct. 21. Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz said crews had not yet approached the damaged tank because it had “the potential within 12 hours of the incident to be explosive,” the report said.
City officials issued an evacuation order for residents within 1 mile of the site and later expanded protective measures to a 3-mile shelter-in-place zone, according to ABC News. The outlet reported that the chemical was identified as glycidyl methacrylate, a substance classified as flammable and described by officials as having a noticeable odor.
Officials and local health authorities have said the compound can irritate the eyes, nose, mouth and skin, and overexposure may cause more serious symptoms including headache, dizziness, tiredness, nausea and vomiting. A Toledo fact sheet posted by the city said glycidyl methacrylate can irritate the eyes, skin and respiratory system and may cause skin sensitization, while residents exposed to vapors were urged to leave the area, shower or rinse off, and seek medical help if symptoms worsen.
MC Tank Transport said in a statement cited by USA TODAY that glycidyl methacrylate is used to make certain plastics, paints and coatings perform better. The company and city officials have not yet provided a full explanation for what caused the release, although ABC News reported that an error occurred during material transfer.
What remains unknown is the full extent of the release and whether air concentrations near the site have fallen to safe levels. City officials said monitoring was continuing as emergency crews worked around the zone.