Early Wednesday, a tank in Toledo, Ohio, spewed the liquid it was holding. A white plume billowed into the air for hours. Nearly 1,000 residents evacuated, fearing toxic chemicals—or an explosion. Officials advised another 50,000 people to stay indoors.
The tank started leaking Tuesday night. By the next morning, large amounts of the chemical contents had escaped. Officials chose to let the tank vent. The situation was too dangerous to send in first responders.
Officials told people within a mile of the site to leave. They instructed those within three miles to shelter in place. Local schools closed. So did a nearby Jeep assembly plant.
Representatives from MC Tank Transport, Inc., say the tank contained glycidyl methacrylate. This industrial chemical is used in making some types of plastics, paints, and other coatings. It’s stored as a liquid but turns to gas when released. Officials say the leak was caused by an “error” while transferring the material.
Mark White, Jr., lives in the affected area. He went to bed Tuesday night with his windows open. He woke to the smell of burning plastic. Because of his asthma, he chose to evacuate. He found shelter at an elementary school.
“I don’t know what this chemical can do to my lungs, long term or anything,” says White.
Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz says there’s no reason for people to panic. But locals worry about the effects of the leak. Some residents reported irritation in their eyes and throats. A sheriff's deputy who responded to the leak later drove himself to a hospital because he felt unwell.
Those symptoms match what officials say to expect. People who come into contact with glycidyl methacrylate may feel as if their eyes, nose, mouth, and skin are burning. Overexposure can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. The chemical is toxic to ingest. But how much toxin has filled the air? Officials work to figure that out. The answer will help determine their next steps.
Some locals worry about not just the air, but the ground. “My main concern is how did that affect everything overnight when it was raining down on cars, houses, my garden?” says Kristine Kowalinski, who lives near the area.
Authorities say the situation is improving. We can pray for the health and safety of people in Toledo, Ohio. We can also pray that God would bring peace to fearful hearts.
