Problem:
A chemical incident in Garden Grove, California prompted the evacuation of 40,000 residents in the area. A cooling system failed, causing a tank of methyl methacrylate (MMA) to overheat and off-gas. Experts feared a catastrophic explosion. MMA, which is used to make acrylic plastics, is highly flammable. MMA can affect the respiratory system, neurological system, skin and eyes.
Solution:
Region 9 (Western States) PEHSU led the development of a customized factsheet and shared educational resources for healthcare providers and the public about MMA. The PEHSU partnered with colleagues from UCSF, UCLA, UC Irvine, Arizona, ATSDR/CDC, California Poison Control, and the California Department of Public Health. The PEHSU shared relevant materials via social media and with state and federal partners. They also responded to inquiries from the California Department of Public Health and ATSDR/CDC.
Impact:
Fortunately, the evacuation order was lifted without further threat to the community. The experience informed the development of new disasters response materials, including an internal resource library and communications materials. Region 9 PEHSU is connected with partners and more prepared to support health professionals and the public should a chemical emergency happen in the future. Next steps include:
- Developing a database for disaster response materials.
- Drafting a Prescription for Prevention on Chemical Disasters.
- Developing a dedicated webpage and pre-made social media posts.