Dominguez Channel Incident
Los Angeles County Public Works continues to monitor water and air quality as it works towards the long-term goal of returning the estuary to a healthy condition. Estuary recovery is a collaborative process involving agencies at the federal, state, and local level, as well as a robust and equitable community engagement process.
IMPORTANT UPDATE
The deadline to submit receipts and documentation for reimbursement has been extended to Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, at 11:59 p.m.
Click here to upload receipts related to temporary relocation (hotel accommodations, self-parking, meals, groceries, etc.), HVAC air filters or portable air purifiers. You must be an approved member of the County’s Reimbursement and Assistance Program to participate.
As of Oct. 29, air monitoring levels for hydrogen sulfide in communities in and around the vicinity of the Dominguez Channel have been consistently measured at near pre-incident levels. Air quality data collected by South Coast Air Quality Management District indicates that hydrogen sulfide levels for communities in proximity to Dominguez Channel are far below the State’s air quality standard level of 30 parts per billion.
For information on current monitoring and findings, visit South Coast AQMD’s Community Investigations page.
What can I do?
- Check community air monitoring readings for hydrogen sulfide levels nearest your home using the South Coast ADMD Rule 1180Â Community Air Monitoring Program website.
- Odors may come and go, even if the hydrogen sulfide levels are below the State’s air quality standard of 30 parts per billion. Some can even smell hydrogen sulfide in the air at levels as low as 0.4 parts per billion.
- If you notice “rotten egg” or “sulfur” odors, continue to report them online at gov/home/air-quality/complaintsor by telephone at 1- 800-CUT-SMOG (1-800-288-7664).
- Take the following actions to lessen your exposure and any symptoms experienced:
- Pay attention to your health if odor is present.
- If symptoms feel life-threatening, seek immediate medical care.
- If symptoms are persistent, worrisome, or worsening, seek medical attention. Relocate to another area until odors go away.
- Avoid prolonged outdoor activities whenever outdoor odors are strong to reduce exposure.
- If you have a central heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, contact an air conditioning specialist, if needed, to determine if the air filters in your system may be replaced with High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) or MERV-rated filters with activated charcoal (carbon) to improve the air quality inside. If you notice odors are stronger or symptoms are worse in the late evening or early morning hours (9 p.m. to 7 a.m.), try running your central HVAC system throughout the night, if you have not already.
- Use a certified portable HEPA indoor air filter with activated charcoal to improve air quality in your home. Click here to see some examples of portable HEPA indoor air filters with activated carbon. If you notice odors are stronger or symptoms are worse in the late evening or early morning hours (9 p.m. to 7 a.m.), try running your portable indoor air filter throughout the night, if you have not already.
To make an odor complaint, report online to the South Coast Air Quality Management District at aqmd.gov/home/air-quality/complaints, or call 1-800-CUT-SMOG (1-800-288-7664).
For more information on protective measures to prevent odors from entering the home, please contact the Public Health Community Line at 1-626-430-9821 and leave a message with your contact information. The message line will be checked every hour between 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day while odors persist.
Report road, sewer, and related infrastructure issues to the LA County Public Works 24/7 hotline at 1-800-675-HELP (4357).
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Los Angeles County residents and business owners, including people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs may call 211 LA County for emergency preparedness information and other referral services. The toll-free 2-1-1 number is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 211 LA County services can also be accessed online by visiting www.211la.org.
