The toxic chemical leaking from a large storage tank in Garden Grove is methyl methacrylate, or MMA – a highly hazardous substance that can pose significant health and safety risks depending on exposure, officials said.
Methyl methacrylate is used to produce shatter-resistant acrylic glass, paints, adhesives, resins and plastics. Authorities describe it as both highly toxic and highly flammable, with the potential to become explosive under certain conditions.
Orange County fire officials said the incident involves a large volume of the chemical, with estimates of up to 7,000 gallons spilling from the tank. The Orange County Fire Authority noted that incidents involving this type of chemical are rare, with limited case studies available to guide response efforts…