Safety Concerns Rise After Chemical Incident in Orange County

Orange County has long been an attractive place to live, much like it was for my grandparents who moved from the Midwest in the 1950s. The reasons are clear: beautiful beaches, clean air, and a sense of safety. However, that feeling of security has recently been disrupted.

The concern started over Memorial Day weekend when a pressurized tank containing a hazardous chemical at GKN Aerospace posed an explosion risk. The substance involved, methyl methacrylate (MMA), is used in creating plexiglass. Although disaster was averted, the tanks remain on-site, and a timeline for safe removal has not been provided.

Impact on Local Residents

For residents like Ruben and Nancy Delgado, who live just 100 yards from GKN Aerospace, this incident has changed their perspective on their once-safe neighborhood. Having lived there since the 1980s, the Delgados have made their home a center for family gatherings. Now, they question the safety of their surroundings.

Ruben expressed his concerns directly, “I want that place shut down. People are scared.” Their worry isn’t uncommon in the area due to proximity to industrial sites.

Previous Industrial Concerns

This isn’t the first time such issues have arisen in the area. In 2023, All American Asphalt in Irvine closed after ongoing air quality complaints. The recent chemical scare in Garden Grove has been significant enough that Los Angeles County launched an online map for residents to check their proximity to industrial or waste sites.

Unanswered Questions

Nancy Delgado has lingering questions about chemical exposure and the long-term safety of her home. GKN Aerospace has contributed $3 million to a fund to help affected residents but has not detailed what caused the tank’s failure nor their future preventive measures.

The Garden Grove City Council has demanded answers and urged GKN Aerospace to communicate directly with the community. While the company faces multiple lawsuits, residents like Nancy want assurance that such an incident will not recur.