Hazmat Cleanup Begins At GKN Aerospace Facility

Hazardous materials crews began a multi-day cleanup operation on June 30, 2026, at the GKN Aerospace facility in Garden Grove, where a chemical emergency forced the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents over Memorial Day weekend.

Crews are removing neutralized methyl methacrylate (MMA), a highly flammable and toxic chemical used in the production of acrylic plastics, from two storage tanks at the facility located at 12122 Western Avenue.

Officials said the operation is expected to continue through Thursday and will be carried out in carefully managed phases using specialized temperature-controlled containers and multiple safety protocols.

The cleanup is being coordinated by a unified command that includes the Orange County Health Care Agency, the South Coast Air Quality Management District, and GKN Aerospace.

Residents living near the facility may notice intermittent fruity odors during the operation. Officials emphasized that MMA has a very low odor threshold, meaning it can be detected by smell at concentrations well below levels considered harmful to public health.

Continuous air monitoring is being conducted both at the facility and throughout the surrounding community, with additional monitoring deployed based on changing wind conditions. Cleanup operations will occur only during daylight hours.

The hazardous materials emergency began on May 21, when an overheated storage tank containing MMA raised fears of a catastrophic explosion, forcing approximately 40,000 residents in Garden Grove, Stanton, and neighboring communities to evacuate for several days. The immediate danger was ultimately reduced after a crack developed in the damaged tank, relieving internal pressure.

Officials encourage residents to monitor air quality updates and cleanup progress through the OccupaInfo public information website.