Nearly 2 million Californians live within 3 miles of a plant using methyl methacrylate (MMA), the chemical involved in the Garden Grove tank crisis. The incident displaced 50,000 residents and sparked lawsuits.
- 1.6 million residents are in Southern California, with 117,000 within a mile of such facilities. - GKN Aerospace generated 131,779 pounds of MMA waste in 2024, the most in the state.
- Plants are predominantly in communities of color, with 77% of nearby residents identifying as such. - The EPA proposed repealing 2024 safety rules, drawing criticism from environmental advocates.