Sacramento –  This past week, communities surrounding the long-polluted Tijuana River were provided preliminary air quality measurements related to odors emanating from raw sewage in the river. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has been providing technical support and expertise to San Diego health officials on this matter.

CDPH, along with federal partners, agree with the county’s assessment that – while the odor and ongoing air quality is causing symptoms for some individuals – the measurements of hydrogen sulfide do not threaten public health and safety and the monitoring methods previously reporting levels of hydrogen cyanide were flawed. Hydrogen sulfide at levels that don’t threaten public health and safety can still cause symptoms. ​

“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,”​​​ said Director of the California Department of Public Health and State Public Health Officer Dr. Tomás J. Aragón.  ​“​Due to odors caused by raw sewage, some people may experience headaches, throat and lung irritation, and even stomach upset if they’​re especially sensitive to the odor. We continue to work with our local and state partners to monitor potential links between the pollution and both public health and air quality impacts, and the state is continuing to push for urgent federal action to address contamination in the cross-border river.”