Authorities in Toledo, Ohio, have ordered residents near an industrial site to evacuate and directed others to remain indoors following a chemical release that left parts of the city shrouded in haze and a strong, plastic-like odour.

According to The Independent, MC Tank Transport Inc. said the incident involved glycidyl methacrylate, an industrial compound used in the manufacture of plastics, paints and coatings. The company said equipment associated with its operations was involved in the emergency.

The Toledo Fire & Rescue Department said the release was still ongoing early Wednesday as emergency personnel monitored the situation and worked with other agencies to contain the threat.

Officials issued an evacuation order for people within a one-mile radius of the affected area near Progress Avenue at about 10:50 p.m. Tuesday. Residents within a further three-mile perimeter were instructed to shelter indoors.

MC Tank Transport, a company involved in liquid chemical transportation, said it was cooperating with emergency responders and had deployed additional specialist resources. The company also identified the safety of residents, workers and emergency personnel as its immediate priority.

The fire department warned that exposure to the chemical could cause headaches, dizziness, fatigue, nausea and vomiting. Residents who experience symptoms they suspect are linked to the incident were advised to seek medical guidance.

Authorities cautioned that the hazardous release could not be distinguished visually from ordinary fog. Residents outside the designated emergency zones who notice an unusual smell were advised to remain indoors, shut windows and doors, and switch off ventilation systems that draw air from outside.

The incident also disrupted education in the area, with several schools cancelling classes and others postponing their opening. An elementary school was designated as a temporary reception centre, while buses were provided to help accommodate people displaced by the evacuation.