A chemical tank explosion at a north Toledo company released a chemical into the air overnight and prompted an evacuation of nearby residents, Ohio officials said Wednesday.
\n\nGlycol methacrylate, an industrial coating product, was released into the air after Tuesday night’s explosion, Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz told reporters. One person, a first responder, was injured and taken to the hospital, he added, but officials believe the injury is not serious.
\n\nOfficials do not know what caused the explosion.
\n\nAn employee at the company — MC Tank Terminal — called 911 to alert authorities to the explosion, Kapszukiewicz said. He added that the company is headquartered in Arkansas, but that executives are en route to Toledo to assess the situation.
\n\nKapszukiewicz explained that when the chemical was released in the explosion, it became a gas, but when it settles back into the tank, it will turn again into a liquid.
\n\nDense fog and haze hindered visibility in the city of about 265,000 people, and local news stations reported a plastic-like odor.
\n\n“That is the chemical whose plume we are monitoring, and we are concerned enough about the health impacts to have taken two actions overnight,” the mayor said.
\n\nThe city had…
Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/business