Fire officials near a Garden Grove aerospace facility stared down two potentially bad outcomes over Memorial Day weekend: Either an industrial tank could explode, or it could unleash large amounts of a toxic chemical into the air.
For many, it was the first time they’d ever heard of the chemical – methyl methacrylate – and its potential consequences: respiratory issues, nosebleeds, nausea and skin reactions that could lead to hospitalization.
The Orange County Fire Authority narrowly avoided a disaster when the tank cracked just enough to relieve the pressure. Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency, and multiple agencies are now investigating what happened. But the danger remains for some…