SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — Federal and local agencies are working to address air quality concerns related to recent border sewage issues, officials from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said Friday. Despite earlier reports suggesting potential risks from hydrogen cyanide, recent assessments show no imminent danger to public health.
While strong odors persist in affected areas, officials assure residents that there is no immediate health risk.
Read more: Mom worries about sewage smell impacts at South Bay Union School district campuses
Earlier this week, UC San Diego researchers reported high levels of toxic gases in South Bay neighborhoods. However, County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Nora Vargas stated that a Hazardous Incident Response Team found no immediate public safety concerns.
“As Chairwoman, I want to reassure everyone that this is not an imminent threat, and it’s safe to be outside and attend school,” Vargas said in a statement. “Our county experts are actively gathering public health data and conducting research to provide the most accurate information. It’s unacceptable that South County residents have to worry about whether it’s safe to go outside."
The EPA said it will continue to collaborate with local environmental health officials and the Air Pollution Control District for further analysis. While the likelihood of hydrogen cyanide being a problem remains very low, additional monitoring will be conducted as a precaution.
The agencies are also stepping up efforts to monitor hydrogen sulfide level, which can cause headaches, poor memory, tiredness, irritation to the eyes, throat and nose, and more.
The California Department of Public Health issued a statement on Friday, agreeing with the County's assessment, saying that it has provided technical support and expertise to San Diego health officials on this issue.
According to the Director of the California Department of Public Health and State Public Health Officer Dr. Tomás J. Aragón, the CDPH will "...continue to work with our local and state partners to monitor potential links between the pollution and both public health and air quality impacts."
Additionally, Aragón said the state is continuing to push for federal action to address the contamination in the cross-border river.
"This has been a crisis that residents have dealt with for far too long, and we’ve partnered with local and federal authorities to provide resources and support to protect impacted communities. We have confirmed that there is no immediate threat from the stench in the air, and reports of hydrogen cyanide were found to be inaccurate," Aragón said.
Related: Funding for more air purifiers approved to help South Bay families affected by sewage crisis
