Los Angeles County Establishes Relief Program for Residents Affected by the Odor from the Dominguez Channel

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.