Tijuana River sewage is making the air toxic and sickening thousands in California
Summary
Raw sewage from Mexico’s Tijuana River is polluting the air and water in Southern California, causing health problems for local residents. Despite a recent agreement between the U.S. and Mexico to fix the issue, tens of thousands of people are still exposed to toxic gases and pollution from the sewage.Key Facts
- Since 2018, over 100 billion gallons of raw sewage mixed with industrial chemicals have flowed into the Tijuana River and then into the Pacific Ocean.
- The sewage causes a strong rotten egg smell and releases hydrogen sulfide, a toxic gas harmful to health.
- People living nearby, like Steve Egger and his family, experience headaches, coughing, and respiratory issues.
- The U.S. and Mexico agreed to improve wastewater treatment plants to handle Tijuana’s population growth and industrial waste.
- The EPA says it will take about two years to address this long-running environmental problem.
- Hydrogen sulfide can cause serious health problems like asthma attacks, nausea, and skin irritation.
- There are currently no updated federal safety standards for hydrogen sulfide exposure; California and Texas are considering new rules.
- The pollution mainly affects a poor, Latino community near the border.
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