Residents near the GKN Aerospace plant in Garden Grove are being advised of potential odors on Thursday and Friday as crews work to remove neutralized methyl methacrylate (MMA) from a damaged chemical tank. This process follows last month’s mass evacuation due to a hazardous materials incident.
According to the Orange County Health Care Agency, the removal involves transferring MMA directly from storage tanks into sealed trucks for safe transport and disposal. During this activity, temporary and intermittent odors may be noticeable. MMA is known for its distinctive fruity or plastic-like odor, which can be detected even at concentrations well below health concern levels.
The cleanup operation is being conducted under the oversight of Unified Command, which includes the OC Health Care Agency, South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD), and GKN Aerospace. Air monitoring is ongoing at the facility perimeter and in the surrounding community to ensure public safety and guide response actions.
Initial cleanup efforts included removing portions of neutralized MMA, wastewater sampling, and testing for proper disposal. Continuous air monitoring and tank temperature readings are being conducted to maintain safety and stability. Updates on the cleanup process are available on the City of Garden Grove’s website.
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