Overview
- Hazmat teams started a multi-day, daytime operation Monday to pump neutralized methyl methacrylate (MMA) from two storage tanks at the GKN Aerospace site on Western Avenue in Garden Grove.
- Officials said crews are removing roughly 14,000 gallons of neutralized MMA and will load it into temperature-controlled sealed containers for transport to an out-of-state incineration facility.
- The unified command coordinating the work includes the Orange County Health Care Agency, the South Coast Air Quality Management District, and GKN Aerospace, and operations include continuous mobile and fixed air monitoring plus a public online dashboard.
- Residents may notice a temporary 'fruity' odor because MMA has a very low odor threshold but authorities say measured concentrations remain below levels associated with health risks and no new evacuations have been ordered.
- Federal and local investigations continue after the May 21 tank overheating that forced about 50,000 people to evacuate, and the cleanup follows an earlier three-week delay while crews secured specialized sealed transport and equipment; officials say the removal is expected to finish by Thursday.