Toledo Evacuations: How To Find Out If High-Risk Chemical Tanks Are Threatening Your Neighborhood

A chemical leak in Toledo, OH, is shedding light on industrial hazards that could affect nearby homes. 

Following the leak on Oct. 21, Toledo Fire & Rescue ordered residents within a 1-mile radius of MC Tank Terminal on Progress Avenue to evacuate. 

By early Wednesday morning, those within a 3-mile radius were directed to shelter in place with windows closed and ventilation systems off.  A total of 983 residents live within the 1-mile evacuation zone, according to Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz.

“Given how industrial the area is and how many different businesses are located in that zone, there could be ... as many as 5,000 people working, during the day, in that area,” the mayor added in an official statement.

The chemical release was due to an “error that occurred when the material was being transferred,” a spokesperson for the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency said on CNN.

Glycidyl methacrylate, the chemical involved, is used to manufacture dental resins. It can irritate the eyes, nose, mouth, and skin. Exposure may also lead to headaches, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, and vomiting. 

Unfortunately, this situation could happen anywhere, making it important to understand the hazards by your home before a hazard occurs.

Ways to research local hazards

There are a number of resources to help you find potential hazards in your local area.

Start with state resources. Many states have a database that lets you search for potential problems in your proximity.

“Pennsylvania, for example, has the DEP's Environmental Site Assessment Search Tool. States like California, New Hampshire, and New Mexico have similar interactive tools. Other states have spreadsheets you can download,” explains Jason Iuculano, founder at ZeroToxins in San Diego.

You can also call your local fire department.

“Facilities that store hazardous chemicals file inventory reports with fire departments, so they know which sites store what, what incidents have occurred, and what emergency plans are in place,” says Jason C. Pancoast, CEO of Envicon Group, an environmental consulting and engineering firm in Jersey City, NJ.

Lo Choe, licensed life safety professional and owner of Aura Fire Safety in San Francisco, says it is the same on the West Coast.

“All California facilities that store more than 55 gallons of liquid, 500 pounds of solid or 200 cubic feet of gas will file a Hazardous Materials Business Plan. This plan is with the fire department or county hazmat office (CUPA). It’s public record and will list chemicals, amounts, and a map of the facility,” Choe says.

Depending on where you live, you may also access a Tier II report. To view it, contact your State Emergency Response Commission or your county’s Local Emergency Planning Committee.

If you don’t find the information you need through local sources, you could use federal tools.

EPA ECHO, for example, lets you plug in your city or ZIP code and search nearby industrial facilities and review their compliance history, violations, and enforcement records.

You could also go to the EPA Toxics Release Inventory, which will show you facilities that report releases of certain toxic chemicals.

OSHA is an option as well. Use it to look up industrial operators and any workplace safety violations involving hazardous materials.

Red flags to look for before buying a home

If you’re interested in a property and the listing says no reported issues but you see large storage tanks and chemical tanker trucks nearby, you should be concerned. 

Railroad loading areas, industrial zoning, and persistent unusual odors can be issues as well. 

A history of chemical releases or repeated regulatory violations, however, is a bigger concern.

Keep in mind that living near an industrial facility doesn’t by itself mean a significant health risk. 

“The risk depends on what the facility handles, how it manages those materials, and what an accidental release could do. And you can’t count on your sense of smell to tell you whether you’re breathing something hazardous,” says Pancoast.

How to prepare for an emergency

By being proactive and preparing for a hazard-related emergency, you can protect your household and navigate the situation with less stress and more confidence. 

First, Iuculano suggests you invest in a HEPA filter that has a pre-filter, a substantial (high-quality) activated carbon filter, and HEPA.

“Carbon is what removes volatile organic compounds, not HEPA. That’s why it’s critical to have all three stages. It's also important to match the size of the air purifier with the size of the room you want to filter,” explains Iuculano.

Central air filtration with a MERV 7 or 8 can also be worthwhile to remove the larger particulates such as dust, pollen, and pet dander.

Also, remove your shoes and encourage family and guests to do the same.

“A substantial amount of toxins, such as pesticides, fecal matter, lead, and bacteria, can be tracked into the house this way and can cause all sorts of skin irritations and illnesses, especially for kids playing on the floor,” Iuculano explains.

Once you’ve taken these measures, sign up for your county’s emergency alerts and learn your local evacuation routes.

If officials tell you to shelter in place during a release, get inside right away. 

“Then, close your windows and doors, shut down any HVAC that pulls in outside air, and seal vents and openings with plastic and tape if directed,” says Pancoast.

Make sure you have access to your phone or radio so you can monitor it for updates. And keep a basic emergency kit on hand with water, medications, phone chargers, and important documents. 

The kit, which should be refreshed and restocked every three years, can allow you to leave quickly if you’re told to evacuate.

If you do need to evacuate, follow the designated routes and don’t come back until you’re told it’s safe to do so. Otherwise, you may be walking toward the release, instead of away from it.