Authorities urgently try to stop California chemical tank explosion; 50,000 under evacuation orders
Some 50,000 residents in the densely populated area are under evacuation orders.
Authorities are urgently trying to stop an overheated, pressured and bulging tank filled with a toxic chemical from exploding in Orange County, California.
https://abcnews.com/US/evacuation-orders-issued-california-city-chemical-tank-fails/story?id=133234846
What is the Chemical and details not in the Story…
Methyl methacrylate (MMA) is a clear, colorless liquid chemical with the formula C₅H₈O₂. It has a sharp, fruity odor and is primarily used as the building block for polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), better known by trade names such as:
-
Plexiglas
-
Lucite
-
Acrylite
Common Uses
Acrylic plastics
MMA is polymerized into acrylic sheets used for:
-
Windows
-
Signs
-
Aquariums
-
Aircraft canopies
-
Light fixtures
Adhesives and coatings
Used in:
-
Structural adhesives
-
Automotive coatings
-
Industrial paints
-
Concrete repair products
Dental and medical applications
Used in:
-
Denture materials
-
Bone cement in orthopedic surgery
-
Some prosthetic devices
Flooring
MMA-based resins are common in:
-
Commercial kitchens
-
Food processing plants
-
Industrial floors requiring fast curing
Properties
-
Boiling point: ~101°C (214°F)
-
Highly flammable
-
Polymerizes readily (can harden into plastic)
-
Strong characteristic odor
Health Effects
Exposure to MMA vapor can cause:
-
Eye irritation
-
Nose and throat irritation
-
Headaches
-
Dizziness
-
Skin irritation
At high concentrations:
-
Respiratory irritation
-
Central nervous system effects
Some people can develop allergic skin reactions after repeated exposure.
Why electricians and industrial workers encounter it
Since you're involved with industrial control panels and shop work, you might encounter MMA in:
-
Industrial floor coatings
-
Two-part structural adhesives
-
Equipment repair compounds
-
Certain resin casting products
The strong smell from some fast-curing industrial floor systems is often MMA.
Is it dangerous?
When used properly:
-
Generally safe with adequate ventilation
-
OSHA regulates workplace exposure limits
-
Because it is flammable, ignition sources must be controlled
The biggest workplace concerns are:
-
Vapor inhalation
-
Skin contact
-
Fire hazard
WHY NOT RELEASE IT BACK INTO THE PLANT AND HARDEN IT TO PLASTIC?