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In Southwestern Ohio, investigators and scientists were researching a toxic situation after a railcar sprung a chemical leak. Hundreds of residents in the area were evacuated due to the toxic threat and possible level of exposure to the toxic chemicals in the air. At this time, no information regarding the origin of the incident has been released, all that has been said thus far is that the railcar was “no longer venting” by the morning of Wednesday, September 25. The general manager, John Keffer, of Central Railroad of Indiana, the owner of the train with the chemical leak, held a news conference in which he spoke candidly on the leak and how they are handling the situation. Keffer spoke about the ongoing work they are doing with experts in the field to ensure public safety and the safety of the first responders.

The car leak was first noticed on Tuesday after plumes of white vapor were seen shooting out of the railcar.

Experts have already reported that the release of the toxic chemicals was due to a pressure release valve leaking styrene. Styrene is a toxic chemical with a pungent smell, which was another alert to those who did not see the plumes. In the middle of the day on Tuesday, reports of an odd odor came in. The Fire and Rescue District was able to locate the source and traced it back to the railcar, where they began their investigation there. While they understood what released the toxic chemical, officials from the railroad company have stated that they are unsure what caused the pressure release valve issue in the first place.

A spokesperson for Central Railroad of Indiana, Tim Ciuba, said that the company is working hard to resolve the issue and understands the inconvenience.

The toxic chemical, styrene, is most often used in the manufacturing process of plastics and rubbers. It can be highly dangerous to people exposed to it in high concentrations as it can disrupt the nervous system. The Center for Disease Control reports that it causes fatigue, concentration issues, balance struggles, and more. In some states, such as California, it is listed as a carcinogen. People are being advised to avoid the area as much as possible and proceed with caution when outdoors in nearby areas.