Check compliance history of chemical facilities in your area with EPA's interactive map

Amid rising concerns over whether facilities handling potentially dangerous chemicals are operating near residential neighborhoods, online federal tools can help you learn the enforcement and compliance history of such sites in your area.

The Environmental Protection Agency's compliance website allows you to enter your ZIP code and view a map of all facilities monitored by the agency. Each location includes detailed information on chemical releases, hazardous waste shipments and any violations.

In Garden Grove, the database shows that in 2024 alone, more than 131,000 pounds of the chemical methyl methacrylate were released or transferred out of the GKN Aerospace facility. Records also show the facility ships out large amounts of hazardous waste in most years and had violations related to generators in 2024. Later that year, those violations were corrected according to the EPA website.

Eyewitness News caught up with one family that was forced to evacuate for the holiday weekend, just days after purchasing their new home.

Documents obtained by 7 On Your Side Investigates from the South Coast Air Quality Management District show GKN agreed to pay the state $909,935.95 for a series of violations in 2021. Those violations included using coatings containing toxic air contaminants, not maintaining records, and not obtaining certain permits.

7 On Your Side Investigates sent GKN a series of questions, including whether the company will pay for the emergency response tied to the current incident and whether it plans to continue processing methyl methacrylate at the Garden Grove site.

The company responded with a previously released statement that says in part: "We apologize for the ongoing disruption this incident is causing, and our priority remains the safety of our neighbors and our community."

7 On Your Side Investigates will continue pressing the company for answers.