Chemical Incident Reporting – Week of 5-16-26

NOTE: See here for series background. 

Edison, NJ – 5-17-26  

Local News Report: Here, here, and here. 

There was an accident involving a fuel tanker that resulted in a massive fire. One person was killed and another was seriously injured and transported to the hospital. 

Not CSB reportable, transportation related incident. 

Belton, SC – 5-20-26  

Local News Report: Here, here, and here. 

There was a toxic vapor cloud released inside a business when sulfuric acid and bleach were mixed. No injuries or damages were reported. 

Not CSB reportable. 

Garden Grove, CA – 5-21-26  

Local News Report: Here, here, here, and here. 

There is an ongoing chemical incident at a chemical manufacturing facility. A methyl-methacrylate tank is undergoing a self-polymerization reaction. So far, there has been some periodic tank venting of the slightly toxic material as the exothermic reaction has raised the temperature and pressure within the tank. As the reaction proceeds, the temperature continues to increase, which increases the rate of reaction. The concern is that at some point the temperature and pressure will increase to the point that there will be a catastrophic failure of the storage tank leading to a large release of hot, flammable, toxic material. No injuries or damages have yet been reported, but 40,000 people have been evacuated from a large area around the facility. 

Not yet CSB reportable. 

St Louis, MO – 5-21-26  

Local News Report: Here, here, and here. 

There was an anhydrous ammonia leak from a food storage facility. No injuries or damages were reported. 

Not CSB reportable.