Federal Emergency Declared After Mysterious River Gas Raises Health Alarms

Toxic gases from the Tijuana River in Mexico are jeopardizing the health of South San Diego residents, leading to calls for a federal emergency declaration.

At a Glance

Federal lawmakers in California urge state of emergency due to Tijuana River’s toxic gases.
An Environmental Science & Technology study found dangerous sewage bacteria in the river.
Millions of gallons of untreated sewage and waste flow daily from Mexico into the Tijuana River.
The fumes from the river pose a serious health threat to South San Diego residents.
This long acting crisis underscores the slow reaction of officials to solving such problems, not only in San Diego but across communities nationwide.

Federal Lawmakers Demand Action

Federal legislators from California are pushing for a state of emergency declaration along the southern border, citing the toxic gases emanating from the Tijuana River. The noxious gases pose an immediate and severe threat to the health and safety of South San Diego residents, leading to a dire need for urgent action.

The Tijuana River, long a source of pollution, has reached crisis levels of contamination with untreated sewage, trash, and industrial waste flowing across the border daily. The situation endangers local residents, causing respiratory illnesses and other health problems. Lawmakers, recognizing the gravity, are requesting a federal emergency declaration to address the crisis.

The Tijuana sewage crisis isn’t just Mexico’s fault. Videos coming soon from my visit to the Tijuana river watershed where @GavinNewsom, environmentalists, the San Diego Board of Supervisors & NGOs are profiteering NOT solving the crisis, by jeopardizing public health & worsening… pic.twitter.com/NvPJDZ2V3b

— Amy Reichert (@amyforsandiego) June 23, 2024

Health and Environmental Concerns

The dangerous chemicals in the Tijuana River are wreaking havoc on the environment and public health. A 2023 study in Environmental Science & Technology found perilous levels of sewage-associated bacteria, adding to the urgency for immediate intervention. Residents are already experiencing the adverse effects, prompting chronic exposure complaints ranging from nausea and headaches to serious nervous system issues.

“We write to reiterate our request for a State of Emergency in light of new findings that alarming levels of noxious gas are emanating from the Tijuana River,” lawmakers stated in a joint letter to President Joe Biden and Gov. Gavin Newsom.

San Diego beaches, now the country’s most polluted, have been closed for over 1,000 consecutive days. Moreover, the Navy has halted some in-water training sessions to avoid exposing personnel to these dangerous toxins.

Sewage disaster drives South Bay health crisis.

My husband and I are in the unique position to witness firsthand the health consequences of living near the Tijuana River sewage, as we are residents of Imperial Beach, as well as doctors who practice in the area.

We treat… pic.twitter.com/21r1B2kefe

— Water Mark 🚰 (@OtayMark) July 4, 2024

Federal Intervention and Local Efforts

Immediate federal and local efforts are necessary to manage the pollution and ensure the community’s health. It’s about time. Lawmakers emphasize that the situation warrants the same sense of urgency as any other environmental disaster. By declaring a federal emergency, residents could receive air purifiers and testing equipment, similar to measures taken during Flint, Michigan’s water crisis.

“Recent data has made it clear that these fumes are causing an immediate and serious threat to the health and safety of residents of South San Diego, and our community needs additional support,” the lawmakers wrote.

Residents of Imperial Beach have even initiated legal action against Veolia Water West Operating Services, seeking over $200 million in damages. Such legal moves underscore the desperation and frustration felt by those directly impacted.

Future Preventative Measures

Long-term solutions are urgent to prevent a similar crisis. A proposed bill aims to unify infrastructure efforts under the EPA, granting more authority to the International Boundary and Water Commission. With $400 million in federal funding, the expansion of the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant is a critical step in resolving ongoing pollution issues.

“People in the South County have lived far too long with flows of raw sewage in the Tijuana River Valley impacting their lives,” stated San Diego County Supervisor Nora Vargas. “This agreement with the CDC is a big win for us, and one I have advocated for. It brings the world’s leading public health experts into our community to help get us the answers we deserve.”

The CDC’s involvement is crucial for analyzing the public health impacts, targeting several hundred households near the border. Immediate and long-term measures are imperative to protect the community’s health and the environment’s integrity.

Draft by: GPT4

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Sources:

https://www.theepochtimes.com/us/toxic-gasses-from-mexico-river-prompt-lawmakers-to-call-for-federal-emergency-5721266

https://thehill.com/policy/equilibrium-sustainability/4870673-southern-california-representatives-federal-state-of-emergency-transboundary-pollution-crisis/

https://www.kpbs.org/news/health/2024/09/09/san-diego-congressional-delegation-calls-for-federal-emergency-on-border-pollution

https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/imperial-beach-residents-take-legal-action-over-sewage-crisis-at-border/3618769/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiZ8YCM8hhc

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0277953622003501

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7593336/

https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/Documents/Issues/Business/Consultation2010/ExecutiveSummarySantiagoRiver_en.pdf

https://archive.epa.gov/emergencies/docs/chem/web/pdf/final_us_draft_us_mexico_jcp_january20_2006.pdf

https://www.hrw.org/report/2024/01/25/were-dying-here/fight-life-louisiana-fossil-fuel-sacrifice-zone

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Quotes:

“alarming levels of noxious gas are emanating from the Tijuana River” … Source #1

“New data collected this month has made it clearer than ever that this is an emergency” – Source #1

Just last week, researchers studying such impacts had to abandon their work due to “concerningly high” levels of toxic hydrogen sulfide gas, as reported by The San Diego Union-Tribune. … Source #2

The congressional representatives likewise stressed the need for air purifiers and testing equipment, describing the circumstances as an “ongoing environmental disaster” that “warrants the same sense of urgency and immediate attention as any other natural or environmental disaster.” … Source #2

“We write to reiterate our request for a State of Emergency in light of new findings that alarming levels of noxious gas are emanating from the Tijuana River,” they wrote in a joint letter to President Joe Biden and Gov. Gavin Newsom. “Recent data has made it clear that these fumes are causing an immediate and serious threat to the health and safety of residents of South San Diego, and our community needs additional support.” … Source #2, Source #4

“As you know, I feel strongly about solving this problem, but cannot in good conscience continue to put my own people at this level of risk,” she wrote in an email to colleagues. … Source #3, Source #4

“People in the South County have lived far too long with flows of raw sewage in the Tijuana River Valley impacting their lives,” said San Diego County Supervisor Nora Vargas. “This agreement with the CDC is a big win for us, and one I have advocated for. It brings the world’s leading public health experts into our community to help get us the answers we deserve.” … Source #3

“Austin Texas’ Robotic Emergency Deployment, or “RED team” as it’s known, arrived in the Tijuana River Valley on Sunday night. They are the ‘Top Gun’ of hazmat specialists and fly drones in airspace that is too dangerous for human testing.” … Source #4

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