Officials race to cool down tank containing toxic chemical as 50,000 residents remain under evacuation in California | CNN

Emergency crews in Orange County, California, are working nonstop to prevent an overheating tank filled with a toxic chemical from leaking or triggering what could be a catastrophic explosion as approximately 50,000 residents remain under an evacuation order. California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in Orange County on Saturday as the state ramps up its response to the hazardous chemical incident, including expanding shelter availability. Authorities have spent the past days trying to prevent the tank, which is full of the chemical methyl methacrylate, from exploding after it began to overheat. The evacuation zone includes a 9-square-mile area around the aerospace facility Orange County Fire Authority Captain Steve Concialdi told CNN “the air quality is good” and readings were showing safe conditions. The chemical, also known as MMA, is used to manufacture plastics and can potentially cause respiratory issues, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Some residents have reported symptoms including throat and nasal irritation, as well as dizziness. Officials had been using drones to measure the temperature of the tank and had initially believed the tan