By Zoila Palma: Emergency crews in Orange County, California, are working around the clock to prevent an overheating tank containing the toxic chemical methyl methacrylate from leaking or triggering a potentially catastrophic explosion.
Approximately 50,000 residents remain under evacuation orders as authorities continue efforts to stabilize the situation, CNN reports.
Officials have spent the past two days trying to cool the tank after it began overheating at an industrial facility. Evacuation orders initially covered a nine-square-mile area surrounding the site but were later expanded following expert assessments of the volatile conditions. Methyl methacrylate, commonly known as MMA, is used in plastic manufacturing and can cause respiratory problems if humans are exposed, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in Orange County on Saturday as response efforts intensified and shelter options were expanded for displaced residents.
Authorities had initially believed the tank was cooling based on drone temperature readings, but Orange County Fire Authority Division Chief and Unified Incident Commander Craig Covey said officials later discovered temperatures had continued rising.
Evacuations and emergency shelter operations remain ongoing as officials work to protect residents.
The post International News: Emergency crews race to prevent toxic chemical explosion in California appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Zoila Palma: Emergency crews in Orange County, California, are working around the clock to prevent an overheating tank containing the toxic chemical methyl methacrylate from leaking or triggering a potentially catastrophic explosion. Approximately 50,000 residents remain under evacuation orders as authorities continue efforts to stabilize the situation, CNN reports. Officials have spent the past
The post International News: Emergency crews race to prevent toxic chemical explosion in California appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
