Washington Examiner

Chemical leak prompts evacuations of Cincinnati suburb – Washington Examiner

A chemical leak from a rail tanker in a Cincinnati suburb has led to evacuation orders for residents within a⁤ half-mile radius in Whitewater‍ Township, Ohio, located 22 miles ⁤northwest of Cincinnati. ‍The evacuation affects⁣ 210 homes‌ due to concerns ‌about a potential explosion from the toxic gas released, which is styrene, a flammable substance⁢ commonly used in the production of plastic and other materials. ‍Residents outside the evacuation zone have been ⁤advised to⁣ shelter in place. ⁣The incident occurred ⁣around‍ 1 p.m. at the intersection of⁤ State Route 128 and U.S. Route 50, prompting air quality tests by officials.


Chemical leak prompts evacuations of Cincinnati suburb

A chemical gas leak from a rail tanker in a Cincinnati suburb has caused officials to issue evacuation orders within a 1/2-mile radius of the site for fear of an explosion.

The evacuation was for 210 homes in Whitewater Township, Ohio, 22 miles northwest of Cincinnati near the Kentucky state line. Residents outside of the evacuation radius are under shelter-in-place recommendations.

A sheriff’s vehicle blocks a road closure at U.S. Route 50 and Ohio State Route 128 on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024, in Whitewater Township near Cleves, Ohio, due to a chemical leak from a railcar. (Frank Bowen IV/The Cincinnati Enquirer via AP)

The chemical was styrene, a toxic, flammable gas used to make plastic, rubber, fiberglass, and other materials. The leak occurred around 1 p.m. at State Route 128 and U.S. Route 50, polluting the air and causing officials to test the air quality in the area.

When inhaled, styrene can cause headaches, nausea, disorientation, and respiratory irritation, and some long-term exposure can lead to organ damage. On Wednesday morning, Central Railroad of Indiana spokesman John Keffer said the railcar was no longer venting, and, according to local reports, the styrene is forming up and firming.

The threat of an explosion comes from the railcar’s rising temperature, prompting firefighters to continuously douse the tanker in an effort to cool it down. The tanker is still intact, as the leak was not caused by a derailment but rather by an open pressure release valve.

Public schools in the area shut down Tuesday and canceled instruction Wednesday, but the situation has stagnated as concerns escalated with evacuations. State Route 128 and U.S. Route 50 were also shut down in both directions around the site.



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