In the Chiquita Canyon Landfill, located near Santa Clarita, north of Los Angeles, an underground fire has been persistently burning.
This fire is releasing gases and vapors into the environment, leading to complaints from local residents about foul odors. A multiagency task force has been formed to tackle this issue, highlighting the severity of the situation and its potential impact on public health.
The Community’s Struggle with Foul Odors
For days, residents near the landfill have been complaining about a foul odor permeating the air, raising alarm over potential health risks.
The Los Angeles Times reports that the toxic fumes are a result of an underground fire, complicating the efforts to address the community’s concerns.
Describing the Odor and Its Impact
Newsweek also reports that the odor emanating from the landfill has been described as “like a porta-potty” and “pretty horrendous” by South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) inspector Larry Israel during a hearing.
This has led many nearby residents to remain indoors or leave their homes or sleep in their cars to avoid exposure to the unbearable smell.
Rare Chemical Reaction Fuels Fire
Tony Briscoe, a staff writer for The Los Angeles Times, explains that the situation at Chiquita Canyon is the result of a rare chemical reaction.
“We’ve only seen a handful of these across the nation,” Briscoe said to NewsNation. He notes that landfills are typically oxygen-free environments, and oxygen is crucial for combustion or ignition. This unique situation has made it challenging to manage and extinguish the fire.
Detection of Hazardous Chemicals
Newsweek reports that the landfill site has become a source of hazardous chemicals, including benzene, a known carcinogen, and dimethyl sulfide, which is considered acutely toxic.
These substances, among others, have been detected in the emissions from the landfill. The mix and reaction of discarded substances within the landfill are raising significant concerns about the health implications for the local population.
Risks Associated with Odor Levels
Marc Glass, a principal environmental consultant at Downstream Strategies, told Newsweek, “If the concentrations are above the odor threshold for the sulfide compounds, the odor thresholds are often lower than the health-based exposure benchmarks—so it doesn’t necessarily mean that there’s an acute health risk associated with that.”
He also noted the harmful effects of benzene, even at levels below the odor threshold, indicating that the presence of odors could signal health risks.
Health Implications of Benzene and Dimethyl Sulfide
Benzene can cause skin and eye irritation, genetic defects, and cancer, with prolonged or repeated exposure potentially damaging organs, per Newsweek.
Dimethyl sulfide can cause skin, eye, and lung irritation, as well as dizziness and asphyxiation. The identification of these chemicals at the landfill highlights the potential health risks to the local community and workers on site.
Air Quality Monitoring Efforts
Newsweek reports that authorities have established air quality monitoring around the Chiquita Canyon site, and so far, there is no evidence suggesting that the nearby waterways have been contaminated.
Efforts to control the emissions are ongoing, with the landfill operator taking steps to mitigate the impact of the hazardous substances contained within the landfill.
Hazardous Substances in Landfills
Glass further explained the nature of landfills, saying to Newsweek, “Landfills are all over and have a lot of hazardous substances in them,” including consumer products like paints and solvents that are discarded by consumers.
These can accumulate in significant amounts, posing challenges for managing hazardous waste streams effectively.
Multiagency Effort to Address Environmental and Health Issues
The EPA is leading a multiagency effort to address the environmental and public health issues at the landfill.
Michael Brogan, a spokesperson for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said to Newsweek that the task force’s “highest concerns are possible health and environmental impacts, especially those raised by community members.”
Monitoring and Controlling Excess Emissions
Following a two-day hearing, Chiquita Canyon Landfill has been directed to continue monitoring and controlling the excess emissions.
The Los Angeles Times reports that Megan Morgan, an attorney representing the landfill, expressed the site’s commitment to addressing the issue, saying, “Chiquita may not experience this issue in the same way that its neighbors do, but Chiquita and its employees are there on-site each day working hard as they can to address this issue.”
Challenges and Solutions in Containing the Reaction
The chemical reaction causing the release of gases and vapors is located deep under the surface, making it a complex issue to resolve.
Efforts to understand and stop the reaction involve considering various approaches, including possibly using inert gases to prevent oxygen from reaching the reactive material. The landfill operator has begun installing new gas collection wells and emission control devices to reduce emissions, per information from The Los Angeles Times.
The Landfill and Its Impact on Health
An independent study has found that odors emanating from the Chiquita Canyon Landfill are causing a range of short-term health effects on the residents living nearby, CBS News reports.
The Los Angeles County Public Health Department released these findings, highlighting the community’s exposure to potentially harmful smells. Symptoms identified include headaches, nasal congestion, and nausea among others, indicating the significant impact of landfill odors on local well-being.
Identifying the Symptoms
The health effects linked to the landfill odors are diverse, ranging from respiratory issues like coughing and chest tightness to more systemic effects such as heart palpitations and depression.
This comprehensive list of symptoms was outlined in the study, illustrating the wide-reaching implications of the landfill’s operations on the health of adjacent communities.
Air Quality Concerns in the Vicinity
The study also touched upon the air quality near the landfill, comparing it to the broader Los Angeles County area.
Interestingly, it found similar levels of volatile organic compounds, including benzene and carbon tetrachloride. This revelation suggests that while the landfill contributes to local odor issues, the overall air quality aligns with wider county trends, posing additional considerations for environmental health assessments, CBS News notes.
The Call for Relocation Amidst Ongoing Issues
The LA Times reveals that Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger has taken a firm stance, requesting the relocation of residents affected by an underground garbage fire at the landfill.
In her communication with Waste Connections, she emphasized the unpredictable nature of the odor issue and the need for immediate action to safeguard the community’s health and quality of life.
The Extent of the Odor’s Reach
The odors have not only affected those in close proximity to the landfill but have also been reported in areas as distant as Stevenson Ranch, as per The LA Times.
Supervisor Barger’s office estimates that at least 900 households are suffering from the landfill’s malodors, indicating a significant community concern that extends beyond immediate neighborhoods.
Community Responses to Health Study Findings
The public release of the health study findings sparked vocal criticism from the community, with residents expressing dissatisfaction with the report’s conclusions.
Val Verde resident Abigail DeSesa voiced her frustration, saying, “I’m sick of being sick. These symptoms may not give me cancer, but they have stolen my life. And they’re stealing all of these people’s lives. That’s not short-term.”
Odor Source and Health Implications
Further investigation into the odors confirmed the presence of sulfur compounds, which are likely contributing to the reported health symptoms.
The LA Times reports that this link between sulfur compound exposure and health effects like difficulty breathing and heart palpitations has raised concerns among residents, who are experiencing the tangible impacts of the landfill’s emissions on their daily lives.
Challenges in Data Consistency
The LA Times explains that the landfill’s air monitoring data has shown discrepancies, particularly with independent air quality assessments, leading to confusion and skepticism among the affected residents.
Despite reports of high levels of hydrogen sulfide exceeding state exposure limits, the community is left questioning the reliability and completeness of the data presented.
Community Meeting Tensions
At community meetings, residents have openly challenged the findings of the health assessment, pointing out inconsistencies with their lived experiences, according to The LA Times.
The skepticism towards the reported low cancer risk and other health assessments demonstrates the gap between official reports and the real-life impact of the landfill’s operations on the community.
Efforts to Address the Odor Concerns
In response to the outcry, Chiquita Canyon has initiated measures aimed at mitigating the odors, such as flaring off gases and attempting to contain the smell, The LA Times reports.
However, challenges such as an ongoing underground fire and weather-related delays have hindered progress, leaving residents waiting for effective solutions to their concerns.
Residents’ Pleas for Action
The community’s calls for immediate and effective action to address the landfill odor issue are growing louder.
The LA Times explains that residents affected by the odors are demanding more than just promises, seeking tangible changes that will improve their living conditions and address the health risks posed by the landfill’s emissions.
Seeking Solutions and Relief
The situation at Chiquita Canyon Landfill has united the community in seeking solutions to the odor problem.
As residents continue to advocate for their health and quality of life, the dialogue between the landfill operators, public health officials, and the community is critical in moving towards a resolution that addresses the immediate and long-term impacts of the landfill’s operations.
