Federal authorities executed a search warrant Wednesday at a Southern California aerospace facility where a chemical tank overheated in late May, triggering the evacuation of 50,000 residents. The facility, GKN Aerospace Transparency Systems in Garden Grove, manufactures cockpit windows and other aircraft components.
The overheated tank contained 6,000 to 7,000 gallons of methyl methacrylate, a highly flammable chemical used in manufacturing plastics and coatings like Plexiglas and dental prosthetics. Authorities feared the pressurized tank could explode, prompting the large-scale evacuation as a precautionary measure. Most evacuees were able to return home over the Memorial Day weekend after a crack formed in the tank, relieving pressure and preventing a potential explosion.
The federal judge-signed warrant, issued last week, authorized seizure of records related to the storage, use and disposal of methyl methacrylate. Agents were also instructed to collect samples of the substance from any tanks, containers or vessels suspected of containing it, along with records of cooling equipment and temperature control systems used for the chemical.
The Orange County district attorney's office is conducting a separate criminal investigation into the incident. Prosecutors have ordered the aerospace company not to modify or destroy any evidence. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, exposure to methyl methacrylate can cause serious respiratory problems, neurological issues and irritation to the skin, eyes and throat.
At a community meeting Tuesday, GKN senior vice-president Steve Carlin apologized to the Garden Grove community for the disruption and distress caused by the incident. "I'm sorry that this event and this incident occurred. I understand what a disruptive event it was and how unsettling it is to the greater community," Carlin said. He thanked firefighters and local leaders for their response.
When city leaders and residents asked the company to consider relocating the methyl methacrylate tanks, Carlin said it was too early in the investigation to make such a determination.
About a dozen evacuated people and businesses have filed lawsuits against GKN since the May incident. Some locals reported strong odors, respiratory irritation, headaches and dizziness. Orange County health officials said no contamination or fumes were released and committed to monitoring air quality for several months while checking sewer and storm drains.
A GKN spokesperson stated the company is cooperating with authorities. "We are cooperating with authorities at our Garden Grove facility and will continue to do so," the spokesperson told the Associated Press.
The California incident occurred five days before a similar hazardous chemical emergency at a Washington paper mill, where a corrosive chemical tank ruptured and imploded, killing 11 people.