East Akron residents in the half-mile around SMB Products were told to evacuate their homes and businesses at 3 p.m. Thursday after a small explosion rang out at the facility.
For the previous two hours, a fire had blazed at the 1081 Rosemary Blvd. property, which is zoned for light assembly and manufacturing. As smoke towered into the sky, inside, chemicals burned , "creating an unsafe hazmat situation," the City of Akron stated in a news release.
Latest updates: Fire continues to burn: Officials urge Akron residents to stay away from SMB Products plant
Among the chemicals reported inside the facility were ether, methanol, propane and xylene.
By 8 p.m., the fire was under control and the evacuation order was lifted. The Environmental Protection Agency determined the air safe for the general public, the Summit County Health Department reported Friday morning.
On Friday, Akron Mayor Shammas Malik urged individuals with pre-existing conditions to be cautious. If they experience any health-related concerns, he said they should call 911.
But what are these chemicals? How are these chemicals used? Do they pose serious health risks?
What is SMB Products LLC?
SMB Products is an automotive, household and personal care manufacturer that focuses on aerosol and liquid fills, according to the Greater Akron Chamber website .
What is xylene? How is it used?
Xylene is among the 30 most produced chemicals in the country. It is described as a colorless, flammable liquid with a sweet odor, according to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), a branch of the Centers for Disease Control.
It is primarily a synthetic chemical produced from petroleum, but it also occurs naturally in petroleum and coal tar. Xylene is often used in paints, glues, pesticides and cleaning agents. Xylene also is used in the plastics, chemical and synthetic fiber industries.
As a vapor, xylene is heavier than air, so it will rest in low-lying areas. It easily evaporates, so if it enters the surface of soil or bodies of water, it is likely to enter the air where sunlight will break it down into less harmful chemicals.
If the chemical reaches below the surface, it may remain in groundwater for several months before smaller organisms break it down.
What are the health effects if exposed to xylene?
A small amount of xylene exposure will likely not cause long-term effects. More severe exposures can take a few days to develop, while repeated direct exposure can cause permanent damage to the brain, muscles, heart and kidneys.
Exposure to xylene comes in two main forms: vapor and liquid.
Breathing in xylene is the most common form of exposure. Small amounts of xylene vapors can cause headaches, dizziness, drowsiness and nausea, according to the ATSDR . Vapors can also irritate the skin, eyes and lungs.
In larger amounts, xylene vapors can cause sleepiness, stumbling, irregular heartbeat, fainting or death in the most serious cases.
Liquid exposure is less common but happens when xylene makes direct contact with the body. This can damage and cause burning pain at the exposure site.
The ATSDR does not consider xylene to be a cancer-causing carcinogen.
How to treat xylene exposure?
There is no antidote for xylene, but its effects can be treated, according to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry . Those with more serious symptoms may require hospitalization.
If unusual symptoms occur within 24 hours of exposure, the CDC recommends that affected individuals seek medical aid.
What is ether?
Ether is a group of flammable and explosive gaseous and liquid chemicals, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Exposure to ether can irritate the eyes, skin and upper respiratory system. Dizziness, drowsiness, headaches and nausea can also occur, according to the CDC.
What is methanol?
Methanol is often used as a solvent, pesticide and alternative fuel source. The most common methanol poisoning is not from vapors but from ingesting it as a liquid, according to the CDC .
Extended exposure to a high concentration of methanol vapor can cause toxic effects.
Exposure to methanol can cause a variety of effects, including headaches, dizziness, nausea, blurred vision, irregular heartbeat and, in the most serious cases, death.
Treatments including antidotes for methanol exposure can be used in serious cases.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: What to know about xylene, other chemicals reported inside East Akron chemical fire
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