- Over 100 billion gallons of raw sewage, industrial chemicals, and trash have inundated the Tijuana River since 2018, flowing from Mexico into Southern California.
- Residents near the Tijuana River, like Steve Egger, experience pervasive odors and severe health issues, including headaches, respiratory problems, and nausea, due to exposure to hydrogen sulfide and other toxins.
- Research found hydrogen sulfide concentrations in affected neighborhoods to be 4,500 times higher than typical urban levels during peak river flows, with thousands of other toxic, odorless gases also detected.
- Despite a US-Mexico agreement to upgrade wastewater plants, the environmental crisis continues, disproportionately affecting a largely poor, Latino population, with EPA officials indicating resolution could take approximately two years.
- The long-standing issue has led to San Diego County beach closures and illnesses among Navy SEALs, prompting calls for updated federal and state safety standards for hydrogen sulfide, which are currently outdated.
IN FULL
Stench and toxins from polluted California river linked to health issues for thousands
