Tim Ryan

🚨 TOLEDO: DON’T BURN LEAVES 🔥🍁 Do not burn your leaves or branches! As we continue to understand the GMA leak from October 20th - we see a complex exposure scenario. 🚩A chemical residue does appear to have precipitated from the GMA vapor. 🚩If you burn leaves, branches or other contaminated materials - the chemical reaction could produce MORE toxic chemicals and fumes. So please refrain from burning leaves & other materials that have been outside - as this could increase your exposure to toxic chemicals. If you handle leaves or other contaminated materials use gloves, wear a mask and dispose of them with care. GMA is water soluble so relocating them to another area could also spread the GMA. More info soon - but this weekend start by not burning leaves or branches in Halloween fires or as a disposal method.

🚨 Toledo, Ohio On October 20, 2026, a 5,500-gallon tank containing glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) began releasing chemical vapor into the surrounding area in Toledo, Ohio. Public communications have not clearly addressed the full range of potential health hazards associated with GMA. In addition to irritating the eyes, nose, mouth, skin, and respiratory tract, GMA has been identified in hazard classifications as a chemical that can damage DNA. GMA is a suspected human carcinogen, known animal carcinogen, and could impact reproductive outcomes in people. The possibility of DNA damage and other longer-term health concerns warrants careful, transparent monitoring. Potential reaction or degradation products should also be identified and evaluated. Some potential breakdown products are also known or probable carcinogens. Inhalation exposure to chemicals with suspected or known carcinogenic potential should be minimized. @EPA is posting air-monitoring information; however, it only includes a generalized VOC measurement and does not include information about GMA or its breakdown products. The public needs a clear accounting of the chemicals tested, the sampling locations and times, the detection limits, and whether monitoring includes GMA and relevant reaction or degradation products. Without chemical-specific measurements and that supporting information, doctors, scientists and residents cannot independently evaluate past or current exposure levels. @epaleezeldin, please ensure that chemical-specific monitoring data are made available promptly to Toledo residents, along with plain-language explanations of the results and their limitations. 🚩@epaleezeldin Please ensure the current monitoring equipment has the capability to detect GMA at low concentrations as well as its suspected breakdown products. Residents have been advised by officials to return home. 🚩Please continue to follow the recommendations from public officials regarding ventilation, cleaning of homes, and disposal of contaminated food. 🚩🚩Please make sure you have fully ventilated your space by creating a cross beeze and utilizing a fan directed outside in areas where there are no windows or cross breeze. 🚩🚩🚩At this time it important to ensure full clearance of GMA and breakdown products from indoor air spaces. The people of Ohio deserve transparent information and adequate monitoring. @epaleezeldin, please expand and clearly document the data collection.