Chemical tank leak prompts evacuation in Ohio

NEW YORK, Oct. 21 (Xinhua) -- A chemical tank ruptured Tuesday night in Toledo, Ohio, leaking toxic glycidyl methacrylate gas into the air, forcing nearly 1,000 residents to evacuate and prompting a shelter-in-place order for over 50,000 people.

The 5,500-gallon tank leaked after a transfer error, Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz said at a news conference on Wednesday, adding that authorities were waiting for the chemical to vent out of the tanker rather than trying to "actively stop the leak", which risks an explosion.

At least 35 people were treated at hospitals for minor symptoms like eye or throat burning, a sheriff's deputy was treated after feeling unwell, and schools were closed, local media reported on Wednesday.

The Toledo Fire and Rescue has reduced the evacuation zone to a half-mile radius and lifted the shelter-in-place order.

Glycidyl Methacrylate, a flammable industrial coating and plastic additive that is stored as a liquid and turns into a gas when released into the air, can cause skin, eye, and throat irritation.