A chemical gas leak from a rail tanker near Cincinnati caused fears of an explosion and prompted evacuation orders for roughly 210 households in Whitewater Township, about 22 miles west-northwest of the city. The leak was determined to be styrene, a chemical used in the production of plastic, rubber, fiberglass, and other materials. Styrene can cause respiratory irritation, headaches, and disorientation with long-term exposure linked to some forms of cancer. Firefighters were attempting to cool the tank to prevent an explosion as the rail car tank had been heating up.
Environmental officials were monitoring the community for the impact of the leak, and some residents may have sought treatment for potential ailments. Public schools in the area shut down early and canceled activities for the following day. The ownership of the rail car and cargo was still unclear at the time of the incident, and the closure of State Route 128 and U.S. Route 50 caused traffic disruptions. Officials expected the situation to remain static overnight as they awaited input from environmental agencies to develop a strategy for mitigation. The emergency response included cooperation between first responders and the railroad company.
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