By Libby Boehmer, Guest Writer
A train car in Cleves, Ohio began leaking styrene gas out of a pressure relief valve last Tuesday morning, resulting in an evacuation order for all residents and businesses within a half-mile radius.
The area surrounding the site of the leak received an evacuation order from the Hamilton County Emergency Management Agency last Tuesday at 4 p.m. All roads and businesses in a half-mile radius closed for the duration of the evacuation, including the Whitewater Kroger and pharmacy and the local Three Rivers School District.
Nearby residents were ordered to leave the area, with some residents receiving visits from the police informing them of the evacuation. Those living within a two-mile radius were told to shelter in place and keep all doors and windows closed.
The Little Miami Fire Department doused the train car with water all through Tuesday night to prevent it from overheating more than it already had. The fire department successfully cooled the train car down and the leak was stopped Wednesday morning.
The restrictions were lifted on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m following several air quality tests that determined the amount of styrene in the air was at a safe level. Local schools and businesses have resumed normal function, and the roads have also been reopened.
The leak occurred just before the train was to cross a bridge headed east over the Great Miami River. The Villages of Cleves Water Works and the United States Environmental Protection Agency are monitoring the water quality, but have not reported any adverse findings. This comes only a few months after Cleves residents received reports of high amounts of lead in their tap water, which has since seen lead levels reduced to safe conditions.
Styrene, also known as polystyrene, is a colorless, toxic and flammable gas that is commonly used in the creation of rubber and plastics. However, it can be dangerous in high amounts and is a carcinogen. Inhaling toxic amounts of styrene gas can lead to nausea, headaches, respiratory disturbances, and neurological problems such as drowsiness and concentration problems. In extreme cases, organ damage or death can occur. Currently, there are no reported hospitalizations linked to styrene gas exposure from the leak.
The Village of Cleves is located 16 miles west of downtown Cincinnati, about a 30-minute drive from Xavier University. Students have no need to be concerned about exposure because the distance is too far for styrene to travel in toxic amounts. The rain from Hurricane Helene has also acted as a filter, deterring the styrene gas from spreading far from the site of the leak.