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Health

57 Treated After Toledo Chemical Tank Leak as Shelter Orders Lift and Cleanup Begins

Officials lifted the shelter-in-place order in Toledo as a glycidyl methacrylate leak slowed; 57 people were treated, none seriously, and crews are preparing to hand the site to its owner for cleanup.

By admin Oct. 22, 2026 · 3:57 PM ET 1 min read

Emergency responders in yellow hazmat suits working with hoses near large industrial chemical storage tanks at night

Fifty-seven people have been treated for symptoms tied to a chemical leak at a north Toledo terminal, the city said.

The release of glycidyl methacrylate began the evening of October 20 at the MC Tank Terminal at 1266 Progress Ave. It prompted a three-mile shelter-in-place order and a one-mile evacuation order. By Thursday the release had slowed sharply and the evacuation zone had shrunk to a quarter-mile, officials said. About seven people were still being treated as of October 22, none in serious condition.

Officials let the reaction inside the compromised tank run its course rather than send crews toward it, judging an intervention could trigger an explosion. The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency said a transfer error released the chemical from a 5,500-gallon tank and described it as flammable with a noticeable odor.

An orange traffic barricade blocking a quiet residential street at dawn, with emergency vehicle lights glowing in the distance

When to seek medical care

Overexposure symptoms include headache, dizziness, tiredness, nausea and vomiting, the city said. The vapor can cause coughing, throat burning or shortness of breath, while skin or eye contact can cause severe irritation or chemical burns, according to the Toledo Lucas-County Health Department.

Serious symptoms such as difficulty breathing, confusion or persistent vomiting warrant a call to 911, the city said. People with mild symptoms like a sore throat or burning eyes can rinse the affected areas and shower, WTOL 11 reported; those with underlying conditions should stay indoors.

The city aims to hand site control back to the owner for cleanup. The Ohio State University Extension office advised discarding produce or crops left outside within the three-mile zone, and the city will clean playgrounds in the area under health department guidance.

Reporting based on coverage by the Akron Beacon Journal and WTOL 11.

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