Public Safety

Toledo chemical leak eases: evacuation zone shrinks as 57 treated at hospitals

The evacuation zone around the MC Tank Terminal in north Toledo was reduced to a quarter of a mile on Thursday as the chemical emergency that forced nearly 1,000 residents from their homes began to ease. Area hospitals treated 57 people for symptoms related to the leak; seven remained under care Thursday afternoon, none in serious condition.

The incident began around 9:30 p.m. on October 20, when a 5,500-gallon tank released glycidyl methacrylate, an industrial chemical used in plastics, paints and coatings. The Ohio EPA said the leak came from "an error that occurred when the material was being transferred." At its peak, officials ordered everyone within one mile to evacuate and told those within three miles to shelter in place.

Because the compromised tank carried a risk of explosion, hazmat crews let the chemical reaction run its course rather than intervene. By Wednesday afternoon the tank's temperature had dropped significantly. One Lucas County sheriff's deputy was hospitalized — the only known injury among first responders.

Officials say the drinking water is not contaminated. Returning residents were told to ventilate their homes, clean surfaces, and discard food left out during the incident.

Sources: Fox 2 Detroit (Oct 22, 2026); USA Today (Oct 21, 2026).

Sponsored

MR CAT ADVERTISINGDOES YOUR BUSINESS NEED MORE CUSTOMERS?

VISIT SITE →