Toledo Evacuations: How To Find Out If High-Risk Chemical Tanks Are Threatening Your Neighborhood

A chemical leak in Toledo, OH, is shedding light on industrial hazards that could affect nearby homes. Following the leak on Oct. 21, Toledo Fire & Rescue ordered residents within a 1-mile radius of MC Tank Terminal on Progress Avenue to evacuate. By early Wednesday morning, those within a 3-mile radius were directed to shelter in place with windows closed and ventilation systems off. A total of 983 residents live within the 1-mile evacuation zone, according to Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz.“Given how industrial the area is and how many different businesses are located in that zone, there could be ... as many as 5,000 people working, during the day, in that area,” the mayor added in an official statement.The chemical release was due to an “error that occurred when the material was being transferred,” a spokesperson for the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency said on CNN.Glycidyl methacrylate, the chemical involved, is used to manufacture dental resins. It can irritate the eyes, nose, mouth, and skin. Exposure may also lead to headaches, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, and vomiting. Unfortunately, this situation could happen anywhere, making it important to understand the hazards...