
MTLB
Chemical spill in Compton generates odor complaints in Long Beach

Hundreds of complaints were made to local and county officials after a chemical spill at a factory in Compton caused strong, pungent odors to the point that some Long Beach residents felt ill, per multiple reports.
Details:
The spill occurred last Thursday at roughly 1:30 p.m. when workers loaded a 300-pound sack holding chemicals into a reactor oven at the Plaskolite plant in Compton. Two hours after workers placed the bag into the oven, it ruptured, causing the stove to bleed a pungent stink, per the LA Times.
Plaskolite spokesperson Roger Hamilton told the Times, the main ingredient that caused the smell is methyl methacrylate or MMA. A colorless liquid with an odor that can irritate the eyes, nose, lungs, and skin.
LBFD spokesperson Jack Crabtree told the Post that they received 20 calls regarding the smell.
South Coast AQMD deployed a team of inspectors to investigate the cause.