A vapor release of an industrial chemical at a Garden Grove aerospace plant triggered widespread evacuations on Friday, May 22, when fire authorities warned of the possibility of a spill or explosion of the thousands of gallons of chemical. The chemical is methyl methacrylate, also known as MMA.
Read more Are you ready for Hamburger Day? This might get you in the mood
Craig Covey, incident commander from the Orange County Fire Authority described it as a “highly toxic substance” that can “impact the respiratory system, cause skin irritation and eye irritation.”
“The other concern we have is that it is extremely flammable in it’s current state, very reactive and can cause an explosion, which is why we have that hard perimeter in place,” he said.
Garden Grove Police Chief Amir El-Farra said about 40,000 people were affected by the evacuation order, and about 15% of them were refusing to leave. He and other officials on the scene urged everyone to adhere to the orders, noting the dangers of the situation.
In addition to its use as an ingredient in heat-resistant coatings in the aerospace industry, MMA has a long history as an ingredient in products used in nail salons, barber shops and similar settings. Since at least 2015 products using MMA have been banned at nail salons in California. The chemical also is listed in public warning signs required by Prop 65, the state law that calls for notification about potentially dangerous products used in public buildings.
MMA is used in aerospace for some of the same reasons it was banned in nail salons — it bonds with other materials quickly and makes those materials harder.
Read more Angel City FC takes victory and momentum into Houston
“Though MMA products have been banned from nail salons and barber shops in California since 2015, that hasn’t prevented some manicurists and others from using them. As a result — and because their products aren’t banned in every state — many salon product suppliers continue to manufacture coatings that include at least some MMA. Starting last month, nail coatings with MMA levels of 1,000 parts per million or higher according to a new rule by the California Department of Toxic Substances Control. Manufacturers have until June 1 to comply, according to the agency.”
In the short term, methyl methacrylate causes respiratory irritation, but little is known about the long-term effects of the substance on humans, Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong said at a press conference Friday.
“What we know in terms of human health is that we have very limited case reports of exposure and when you have limited short-term exposure, meaning maybe you inhaled some of the vapor, it can cause significant irritation in the lungs, the nasal passages and it can also cause nausea, it can also cause dizziness,” she said. “At very high levels, it can really cause severe respiratory distress and hospitalization and this is where we really need everybody to heed all of the evacuation orders.”
Long-term consequences include effects on other organs, she said. Various animals have been affected differently, she said. Long-term human effects are not exactly known, but effects seen in mice could be seen in humans, she added. She is working with Environmental Protection Agency and the South Coast AQMD to provide more information.
“This is a unique situation. We don’t have information of a similar situation where this happened,” she said.
Read more San Juan Capistrano tea favorite to open new restaurant at Sherman Gardens