A ruptured chemical tank in Toledo, Ohio, released a plume of gas for more than 14 hours on Wednesday, prompting the evacuation of nearly 1,000 residents and shelter-in-place orders for over 50,000 people in and around the city. Officials cited concerns about both the potential toxicity of the chemical release and the risk of an explosion as reasons for their ongoing response.
The tank, located in an industrial area, contained approximately 5,500 gallons of glycidyl methacrylate, an industrial chemical used to enhance the performance of certain plastics, paints, and coatings. MC Tank Transport, the company responsible, said the leak resulted from an error during the transfer of the material. The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency confirmed the leak but did not provide further details.
Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz described the decision to allow the chemical to vent rather than attempting an immediate shutdown as a safer approach, emphasizing the danger that emergency responders might face if they entered the site prematurely. “There’s no question the situation is improving,” he said, noting that drone surveillance showed the tank’s temperature decreasing and the plume dissipating. Nevertheless, he said it could still take hours before the tank is considered safe to approach.
Residents within a one-mile radius were ordered to evacuate, while those within a three-mile radius—reaching neighborhoods along the Lake Erie shoreline and extending into neighboring Michigan—were instructed to remain indoors. Several schools closed for the day, and Stellantis temporarily halted production at its nearby Jeep assembly plant as a precaution.
Health officials reported that many people exposed to the plume experienced irritation of the eyes and throat. Mark White Jr., a local resident with asthma, evacuated after waking to a strong burning plastic odor. “I don’t know what this chemical can do to my lungs, long term or anything,” he said. Promedica, a regional healthcare provider, evaluated around 30 patients with symptoms possibly linked to the leak; most were treated and released. An Ohio sheriff’s deputy who responded to the incident later sought hospital care for health issues believed to be related.
City and health officials continue to monitor the air quality, testing chemical concentrations and assessing risks. Karim Baroudi, director of the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department, warned that glycidyl methacrylate is highly toxic upon direct contact or ingestion. It can cause burning sensations in the eyes, nose, mouth, and skin, as well as headache, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting if overexposed.
Some residents outside the official shelter-in-place zone reported smelling chemical odors and expressed concerns about contamination from the leaked substance settling on homes, vehicles, and gardens. Kristine Kowalinski, who lives just beyond the affected area, said she remained indoors due to sensitivity to airborne irritants and voiced worries about environmental impact.
Emergency teams and environmental authorities are continuing operations to secure the site and ensure public safety, working to determine when conditions will allow for safe cleanup and lifting of evacuation and shelter-in-place orders.