We had a saying for HazMat incidents like this when I worked, Methyl Ethyl Bad Shit! The chemical involved is Methyl Methacrylate (MMA). Here's more info that includes the mandatory evacuation zones. It's in Garden Grove & bordering Stanton, Orange County, CA.
Methyl methacrylate (MMA) is a clear, colorless industrial liquid monomer used primarily to produce acrylic plastics and resins.
Because it has exothermic properties, it creates its own heat. If it gets too hot, it can undergo a process called violent auto-polymerization, which creates extreme pressure and a severe risk of an explosion.
Key Risks of MMA Vapors:
- Severe Inhalation Hazard: Breathing in the concentrated vapors causes intense irritation to the nose, throat, and lungs. High concentrations can lead to pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs) and can be fatal.
- High Flammability: The vapors are highly volatile and catch fire easily. If an ignition source hits the vapor cloud, it can trigger a massive flash fire.
- Extreme Chemical Odor: It carries an incredibly sharp, pungent, fruity odor. This odor travels fast with the wind, which is why people miles away from the Garden Grove site are reporting a strong plastic smell.
The Safe Bounding Box For Today's Evacuation:
- If you are anywhere inside these four streets, you are ordered to leave immediately:
- North Boundary: Orangewood Avenue
- South Boundary: Garden Grove Boulevard
- East Boundary: Dale Street
- West Boundary: Springdale Avenue