Majority of local residents see Tijuana River sewage as threat to air, water, health

Workers touching base with South Bay residents as part of federal outreach regarding Tijuana River Valley waste Photo courtesy of County News Center South Bay residents have serious concerns about air quality drinking water and their medical as they continue to live with the Tijuana River defilement problem according to survey results issued Tuesday The Assessment of Chemical Exposures survey based on answers from people near the confines was conducted last November by the U S Centers for Malady Control and Prevention s Agency for Toxic Substances and Illness Registry Of those who filled out questionnaires commented they were concerned about air quality and about beach water quality Another cited concerns over Tijuana River quality and over the cleanliness of drinking water A total of disclosed they have made a great number of or particular lifestyle changes due to the sewage and taken policies to avoid the area A full of those surveyed stated they do not believe the area is safe to visit work or live Other findings include of the respondents use bottled water for drinking water and only drink tap water announced at least one new or worsening physical symptom they attributed to the sewage emergency in the days before the survey headaches runny nose congestion and coughing were the preponderance common More than of parents answering for children reported their child had missed classes due to effects they believe are related to the sewage problem of participants believe their pets ailments to be linked to the sewage situation The pets have manifestations like skin ear or eye issues or respiratory cardiac or digestive problems The areas in this survey were expanded from Imperial Beach Nestor and San Ysidro to include Otay Mesa West the Silver Strand and Coronado Just shy of half the respondents were Hispanic Latino and white disclosed they live in the area say they visit for recreational initiatives work there and attend school The results of the ACE survey confirm those of another assessment the Population Assessment for Masses Physical condition Urgency Response completed last October The county also explained that the ACE survey expanded participation to individuals rather than households Concerns about physical and mental wellbeing and the safety of the area and of tap water for drinking were common to both surveys The survey area for the CDC s Assessment of Chemical Exposures Photo courtesy of San Diego County The county explained it will prioritize action in five areas after receiving the survey results Communication share wellbeing and deposit information in multiple formats including on social media and via society outreach workers Water educate the area about how household drinking water is tested and not sourced from the Tijuana River Mental medical promote mental physical condition services and support Healthcare providers update clinicians on surveillance engagements and ongoing projects Pets engage with vets hospitals and area animal organizations In September teams from local universities measured high levels of noxious gases such as hydrogen sulfide and hydrogen cyanide in the Tijuana River Valley Residents were exposed to the rotten egg smell even miles from the perimeter Ultimately crews from San Diego County determined there was no immediate physical condition vulnerability but a large number of residents supposed the situation had reached a turning point In the past year researchers discovered that toxins and bacteria from the Tijuana River can be aerosolized and become airborne unveiling an apparent threat not only to our water ecosystems but the air in our communities members of San Diego County s congressional delegation wrote in a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency Last month the San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted - to advance a proposed action plan in response to the ongoing Tijuana River sewage emergency Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre on July won voting process to the board bringing her activism regarding the dividing line to the county s decision-making process Another community soundness assessment from the CDC s Agency for Toxic Substances and Illness Registry will evaluate the river valley for hazardous substances strength outcomes and district concerns It is expected to take about two years This new population strength assessment will look at environmental input from authorities agencies and researchers review air surface water sediment soil fish tissue and odor complaint input identify information gaps and uncertainties where there is not enough statistics to determine wellbeing risks and make recommendations to agencies region members and others to prevent and minimize harmful exposures according to a county declaration