Garden grove: Urgent measures are being taken to contain a leak of flammable chemical tanks in the United States. Officials in California are continuing their efforts to prevent tens of thousands of liters of leaked flammable chemicals from exploding, while more than 50,000 residents in the surrounding area have been evacuated from their homes in a panic.
According to Thai News Agency, an update on the situation involving a tank containing approximately 7,000 gallons of methyl methacrylate, a flammable and volatile chemical used in plastics and aerospace industries, at the GKN Aerospace plant in Garden Grove, Orange County, California, reveals that the tank has ruptured and poses a high risk of leaking or exploding, potentially releasing toxic fumes into the atmosphere. Firefighters continue their efforts to prevent the dangerous chemical from exploding or leaking.
Recently, officials discovered cracks in the chemical storage tank, which experts say could be a positive sign in terms of helping to release internal pressure, reducing the chance of a sudden, violent explosion. However, the tank's relief valve was found to be clogged or damaged, preventing officials from directly draining the chemicals. They can only continuously spray cooling water to keep the temperature below 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
If the chemical containers rupture or leak, officials from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimate that the leakage would be small and controllable. They have deployed earthen barriers, dikes, and sandbags around the commercial area to prevent the chemicals from flowing into public sewers or the Pacific Ocean. Meanwhile, some nearby shelters are already full for the 40,000-50,000 residents who were evacuated from their homes after the governor declared a state of emergency.
However, air quality measurements within a 1-mile radius of the evacuation zone by EPA and local agencies showed that pollution levels remained within normal limits, and there were no reports of injuries. Those outside the evacuation zone, including nearby areas such as Disneyland, were also unaffected.
Meanwhile, on Sunday, a major fire broke out at a tire recycling plant and auto repair shop in South Gate, south of Los Angeles, California. Thick black smoke and toxic fumes billowed into the sky, visible from surrounding areas. More than 100 firefighters battled the blaze for over three hours before bringing it under control. There were no reports of injuries or fatalities. Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire.