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 corruption Photo courtesy of County News Center South Bay residents have serious concerns about air quality drinking water and their physical condition as they continue to live with the Tijuana River litter emergency according to survey results distributed 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 Complaint Control and Prevention s Agency for Toxic Substances and Condition Registry Of those who filled out questionnaires disclosed 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 noted they have made numerous or a few lifestyle changes due to the sewage and taken efforts to avoid the area A full of those surveyed announced 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 predicament in the days before the survey headaches runny nose congestion and coughing were the largest part common More than of parents answering for children declared their child had missed classes due to signs they believe are related to the sewage emergency of participants believe their pets ailments to be linked to the sewage problem The pets have indicators 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 explained they live in the area say they visit for recreational events work there and attend school The results of the ACE survey confirm those of another review the Group Assessment for Residents Medical Crisis Response completed last October The county also explained that the ACE survey expanded participation to individuals rather than households Concerns about physical and mental medical and the safety of the district 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 disclosed it will prioritize action in five areas after receiving the survey results Communication share strength and supply information in multiple formats including on social media and via population outreach workers Water educate the society about how household drinking water is tested and not sourced from the Tijuana River Mental vitality promote mental vitality services and information Healthcare providers update clinicians on surveillance sessions 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 confines Ultimately crews from San Diego County determined there was no immediate physical condition hazard but a multitude of residents deduced the problem 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 vote to the board bringing her activism regarding the perimeter to the county s decision-making process Another constituents physical condition assessment from the CDC s Agency for Toxic Substances and Complaint Registry will evaluate the river valley for hazardous substances physical condition outcomes and neighborhood concerns It is expected to take about two years This new masses healthcare assessment will look at environmental facts from regime agencies and researchers review air surface water sediment soil fish tissue and odor complaint material identify information gaps and uncertainties where there is not enough facts to determine wellness risks and make recommendations to agencies area members and others to prevent and minimize harmful exposures according to a county announcement