Nearly 2 million Californians reside within three miles of chemical plants using methyl methacrylate, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Toxics Release Inventory.
This includes 1.6 million residents in Southern California, with approximately 117,000 living within a mile of such facilities in Los Angeles, Orange, and Riverside counties. The recent incident at GKN Aerospace in Garden Grove has drawn national attention to the proximity of these plants to residential areas.
On May 21, a malfunctioning storage tank at GKN Aerospace, containing 7,000 gallons of methyl methacrylate, threatened a dangerous leak or explosion. The situation forced the evacuation of 50,000 residents in Garden Grove and nearby areas over Memorial Day weekend. The crisis was averted, partly due to a crack in the tank that helped release pressure.
The Orange County Register reported that GKN Aerospace produced the highest amount of methyl methacrylate waste in 2024, generating 131,779 pounds. The company typically sends this waste to Arizona for disposal.
The incident has sparked outrage and led to dozens of lawsuits from displaced residents. Two Garden Grove residents have filed a class action lawsuit against GKN Aerospace, accusing the company of negligence and nuisance. The plaintiffs seek damages for property damage, evacuation-related expenses, and emotional distress. NBC Los Angeles reported that the lawsuit was filed by X-Law Group, P.C. and Presidio Law Firm LLP.
Experts like Seth Shonkoff from PSE Healthy Energy warn that aging infrastructure, population growth, and regulatory rollbacks increase the likelihood of similar incidents. The Los Angeles Times highlighted that many industrial sites are located in communities of color, which already face disproportionate environmental hazards.
Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the Garden Grove incident. Michael Kleinman, an environmental toxicity professor at UC Irvine, emphasized the need for companies to review their safety measures. “If the plants are well-maintained, and appropriate safety measures are current and in place, there should be low cause for concern,” he said.
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