Aerospace Waste Cleanup
Orange County Officials Begin Hazardous Waste Removal at GKN Aerospace Facility
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Orange County officials will begin removing thousands of gallons of hazardous chemicals from the GKN Aerospace facility in Garden Grove on Monday, June 29 — more than a month after a near-catastrophic chemical reaction forced 50,000 residents to flee their homes Daily Item. The operation targets methyl methacrylate (MMA), a volatile chemical used to make aircraft windows, stored in two tanks at the plant. Residents may notice a fruity odor during the process, which is expected to last several days.
The cleanup was originally set for June 4 but was delayed due to what officials called "unavailable resources" — specifically, a shortage of specialized sealed trucks needed to safely move the chemical Fresno Bee. The company, which makes windows for fighter jets like the F-35 and commercial aircraft, now faces a criminal probe and more than 30 lawsuits.
How a Faulty Valve Nearly Triggered a Mass Explosion
On May 21, a 34,000-gallon storage tank holding roughly 7,000 gallons of MMA began what experts call a "thermal runaway" reaction — essentially, the chemical started heating itself uncontrollably. A faulty cooling valve is believed to have caused it Bellingham Herald. Orange County Fire Chief Craig Covey said it was "as bad as he'd seen in 32 years of fire service." Officials feared a Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion, or BLEVE — a blast that could have leveled city blocks.
Mandatory evacuation orders covered a 9-square-mile area across six cities, including Garden Grove, Anaheim, and Westminster. About 3,000 businesses were forced to close over the Memorial Day weekend. The crisis ended on May 26 when a crack formed in the tank, releasing pressure and cooling the chemical — a lucky break that averted disaster SWOKNews.
FBI and DA Launch Parallel Criminal Investigations Into GKN
On June 10, FBI and EPA agents executed a federal search warrant at the facility, seizing records tied to cooling equipment maintenance — the suspected root cause of the valve failure Tri-City Herald. Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer opened a separate criminal probe and publicly called on GKN employees to come forward as whistleblowers.
The scrutiny isn't new. In 2021, the South Coast Air Quality Management District cited GKN for operating without permits and failing to keep emissions records. The company settled for more than $900,000 without admitting fault. GKN's parent company, Melrose Industries PLC, saw its shares drop as much as 7% on the London Stock Exchange following the May incident Miami Herald.
GKN's $4 Million Pledge Leaves Residents Angry and Short
GKN committed $4 million in community support — $3 million to the United Way and $1 million to broader initiatives. But Garden Grove Mayor Stephanie Klopfenstein said that amount is "not nearly enough," and OC Supervisor Janet Nguyen noted the United Way fund has already run dry Island Packet. The Orange County Board of Supervisors approved an additional $500,000 in emergency aid on June 23 to help fill the gap.
GKN Senior VP Steve Carlin apologized for the "uncertainty and disruption" but has avoided direct questions about full reimbursement for displaced residents. At a community meeting on June 9, frustrated residents showed up carrying the blankets they had used in emergency shelters Mahoning Matters. More than 30 lawsuits have been filed, including class-action claims alleging negligence. Legal experts say settlement costs could far exceed the cost of the cleanup itself.
What Happens During This Week's Chemical Removal
Workers will transfer MMA from tanks #2 and #4 into specialized sealed containers between June 29 and July 2, according to the Orange County Health Care Agency Hastings Tribune. The chemical has already been neutralized, meaning the risk of another runaway reaction is low. Still, the transfer process will release fumes. Officials are warning nearby residents to expect a fruity smell but say air quality levels remain "below health risk thresholds."
This week's removal is considered Phase 1 of a longer remediation effort. Investigators are still reviewing the records seized by the FBI, which could determine whether criminal charges are filed. The incident has also sparked calls in Sacramento for stricter state oversight of industrial plants located inside residential neighborhoods The Olympian.
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