Fears of a catastrophic explosion and toxic chemicals.. What is happening in California?
Explosiontank Toxic chemicals in California raise a state of controversy in America, as firefighters warned of the high temperature of the tank, which increased the risk of a catastrophic explosion that forced tens of thousands of state residents to evacuate their homes.
Orders were issued to evacuate about 40,000 people in the Garden Grove area in Orange County, southeast of Los Angeles, due to a leak from the tank that could lead to the spread of toxic fumes over a crowded area and raise the risk of an explosion.
The tank includes on 26,000 liters of methyl methacrylate, a flammable liquid used in the plastics industry, and warned Firefighters of the seriousness of the situation.
Ways to cool the tank
The operations commander at the scene, Craig Coffey, said Saturday that an emergency team went to the area at night, seeking to neutralize the danger. "Possible explosion" Which may be formed by an additional tank with a capacity of more than 55 thousand liters if the tank with a capacity of 26 thousand liters explodes, and the team was able to inspect the temperature gauge on the main tank.
He continued in a video clip published on social media sites. "I am sorry to inform you that the temperature reached 32 degrees yesterday morning, it was 25 degrees when we left, and the temperature is rising at a rate of approximately one degree every hour, which is the bad news."
He explained that the firefighters were looking for ways to cool the tank, and aerial footage published by local television stations showed the tank, with a capacity of 128 thousand liters, being sprayed with hoses of water.
Preventing toxic substances
No injuries have yet been recorded and no indications have emerged of the cause of the leak. The US Environmental Protection Agency said that methyl methacrylate is an irritant to the skin, eyes and mucous membranes in humans.
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The authorities are working to put up barriers to prevent toxic substances from polluting rainwater streams and rivers that flow into the ocean.
A post on the agency’s website warned of "Effects on breathing in humans after acute short-term or chronic long-term inhalation exposure"The agency also reported that "Neurological symptoms have been reported in humans after acute inhalation exposure".
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