Evacuations, shelter-in-place order issued after hazardous material is released in Toledo, Ohio amid dense fog

TOLEDO, Ohio — Hazardous materials were released around an industrial facility in northern Toledo late Tuesday that prompted the local fire department to issue evacuation orders for people within a 1-mile radius of the incident. 

Shelter-in-place orders were expanded early Wednesday within a 3-mile radius of the area, which instructed people to stay indoors and close any ventilation systems that pull in outside air.

Officials said the emergency response was hampered by dense fog at the time of the chemical release that limited visibility.

Additionally, officials said people in the area were concerned that the dense fog was a plume of the chemical that was released.

"Dense fog and very little wind are affecting visibility across Toledo. You can’t tell fog from the release by looking, so please don’t rely on how the air looks," the city said in a statement on its website.

"If you are outside the evacuation or shelter-in-place zones and smell an unusual odor, please stay indoors, close windows and doors, and turn off ventilation that draws in outside air." 

A Dense Fog Advisory remains in place through 10 a.m. ET Wednesday.

Officials said a sheriff's deputy was injured and hospitalized, but the extent or nature of those injuries have not been released.

The chemical that was released has been identified as glycidyl methacrylate by city officials and MC Tank, Inc., a liquid chemical transportation company that said its equipment was involved in the incident.

Officials said in a Wednesday news conference that the chemical is a carcinogen if ingested at certain levels. The company said glycidyl methacrylate is used in plastic coatings.

People driving within the shelter-in-place zone were asked by officials to use the recirculation mode in their car air conditioners.

They said exposure to the chemical can cause itchiness in the eyes and throat.  

Check back for updates on this developing story.