LOS ANGELES, CA – Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion authored by Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell and co-authored by Supervisor Janice Hahn, to create a relief program to provide critical assistance to residents affected by the odor from the Dominguez Channel that has been classified as a health nuisance by the County’s Health Officer.

The relief program will retroactively go into effect as of October 4, 2021, when the first documented complaints from residents were received by Los Angeles County Public Works. Since then, multiple agencies including Los Angeles County Department of Health, Los Angeles County Fire Health Hazmat, and South Coast Air Quality Management District, have been working to address the decomposing organic materials within Dominguez Channel that are releasing hydrogen sulfide, which is causing the foul rotten egg odor.

“Communities across multiple cities have endured this odor for weeks. Many residents continue to experience serious symptoms like headaches and nausea. This motion accounts for the urgent  need for equitable access to the recommendations from County officials so all residents impacted can be supported said Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell. “This is also about providing consistent and clear communication to residents on their safety and what is being done to resolve this issue.”

Supervisor Janice Hahn said “The smell coming from the Dominguez Channel is nauseating and it has become a huge disruption for residents. The County’s Department of Public Works is working to address the problem, but in the meantime, impacted residents not only need to know that they can be reimbursed for air filters and hotel stays, they need to know they will be reimbursed quickly. We don’t want to cause more stress or headaches for residents who are already suffering.”

It’s important to note that this is an on-going investigation. Although, the Department of Public Health has determined that the current levels of hydrogen sulfide in the air are not expected to cause long term health effects, the quality of life continues to be negatively impacted for residents in Carson, West Carson, and portions of Gardena, Torrance, Redondo Beach, Wilmington, and Long Beach.  

To help limit or prevent exposure to the odor, Public Health has recommended residents use HEPA filters and filtration units with activated charcoal (carbon) for HVAC systems or if necessary, temporarily relocate.

The motion directs Public Works to collaborate with the appropriate County departments in creating an equitable relief program that accounts for economic hardships and other barriers that prohibit residents from being able to pay up front costs. It also includes the option for anyone who is affected by this incident to be reimbursed for purchasing recommended air purifiers and air filters or to be reimbursed per household, up to $182 per day for a hotel room and $66 per day for expenses caused by relocating for each person residing full time in the household.

To read the full motion click here.

LOS ANGELES, CA – We are continuing to work with LA County Public Works, Public Health and the South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD) to address the odor coming from the Dominguez Channel that has been impacting the Carson community and nearby neighborhoods. I could smell the scent of rotten eggs when driving on the 405 freeway and take these complaints from our residents seriously. Thank you for keeping our office alerted.

Public Health conducted air monitoring and found low levels of hydrogen sulfide in the air east of the Dominguez Channel.  These current results show no need for evacuation, but the odor has caused some residents to have headaches and feel nauseous. My office is doing all we can to support and ensure Public Works and South Coast AQMD’s investigation into the source of the odor and solutions for stopping it are executed as efficiently as possible.

Immediate actions residents can take to help prevent the odor from entering their home, is to keep their doors and windows closed as much as possible. For additional information on protective measures  you can take, please contact Public Health’s Community Line: 626-430-9821. This line is available from 7am-10pm, you will be asked to leave a message. The messages are checked hourly.

Residents should continue to report odors to South Coast AQMD’s hotline by phone: 800-288-7664 or online: www.AQMD.gov/Complaints.  This helps us ensure complaints are properly documented, routed, and investigated by the enforcement staff.

LOS ANGELES, CA – My office has been alerted of the foul odor impacting residents in the Carson community and is working with LA County Public Works to address this issue. I have heard from constituents about their health being impacted due to the smell of the air and I take these reports seriously. Currently, Public Works is investigating this and I have requested Public Works coordinate with the appropriate county and state departments to provide additional air monitoring and for the findings of their report to be shared with my office. We will continue to keep the Carson community updated as we receive more information on this evolving issue. For additional questions or concerns, please contact the LA County Public Works 24/7 hotline at 800-675-HELP (4357).

LOS ANGELES, CA – Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a motion led by Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, representing the Second District,  that strengthens access to supportive services for Haitian immigrants residing in Los Angeles County. The motion directs the Office of Immigrant Affairs within the Department of Consumer Business of Affairs to develop a culturally competent outreach plan that connects Haitian immigrants to key County services including medical and mental healthcare, workforce development, and immigration legal support.

Since July of 2021, the people of Haiti have experienced a series of devastating events, starting with the assassination of their president, Jovenel Moïse, and followed by a catastrophic earthquake and tropical storm. All this has happened while the country continues to lag behind in the fight against COVID-19 with only 21 percent of Haitian residents vaccinated as of September of this year.  Haitian immigrants, like many other immigrants forced to flee their home countries, are risking their lives to journey to the United States in hope of a better and safer place to call home.  

“The horrific images that we saw of Haitian immigrants being whipped by U.S. Border Patrol agents should have enraged us all. It’s time we match that outrage with action” said Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell. “This motion builds on the Board’s commitment to ensuring LA County leads in welcoming and supporting all immigrants and sends a clear message that we will not stand for immigration policies and actions that harm and unfairly impact the wellbeing of Haitians or any group of people.”

The motion directs the Chief Executive Office Legislative Affairs and Intergovernmental Affairs branch to send a letter signed by all five Los Angeles County Supervisors to the U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken informing him that Los Angeles County will stand ready to work with the federal government in welcoming and supporting Haitian immigrants and their families.

To read the full motion click here.