Community Services - PSA

LA County officials say avoid prolonged outdoor activities in Carson area

LA County Public Health recommends temporarily leaving the area where odors are present to alleviate health impacts

Published

3 years ago

October 19, 2021

The Dominguez Channel (Photo Credit: Los Angeles County Public Works)

CARSON – Los Angeles County officials have been working collaboratively since Oct. 6 to investigate and address the pungent odor affecting communities in the area of Dominguez Channel in the City of Carson.

A multi-agency response—including the County departments of Public Works, Public Health, Fire and the Office of Emergency Management, as well as the South Coast Air Quality Management District—was mobilized in response to this incident and to provide rapid relief to residents and businesses that have been affected.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District on Tuesday announced it has established a webpage to monitor the foul odor emanating from the Dominguez Channel that has sickened some residents and prompted numerous complaints.

To date, South Coast AQMD has responded to more than 2,000 odor complaints since the acrid scent was first reported on Oct. 3.

Congresswoman Nanette Diaz Barragán, whose 44th congressional district includes the affected areas, in her Oct. 18 letter called on California Governor Gavin Newsom to declare a state of emergency in the area.

On Oct. 15, LA County Public Works maintenance crews began spraying a natural, water-based and biodegradable deodorizer in the channel to neutralize the odor. The community should expect a noticeable reduction in the smell within 3-5 days.

The source continues to be considered as naturally decaying organic material (vegetation and marine life) at the bottom and sides of the Channel in Carson. As air monitoring of the surrounding areas continues, no other point sources for the hydrogen sulfide have been identified. South Coast AQMD, County Fire Hazardous Materials (HazMat), and Public Health continue to evaluate and monitor hydrogen sulfide concentrations and mitigate health impacts.

A bubbler system is being installed today to inject millions of tiny oxygen bubbles into the water to increase the levels of dissolved oxygen and prevent the creation of additional hydrogen sulfide gas.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health updated the health recommendations for residents impacted by odors reported in Carson and surrounding communities to avoid prolonged outdoor activities between the hours of 9 p.m. through 8 a.m., based on patterns seen with air monitoring results, and whenever odors are strong to reduce exposure.

While the effort to get rid of the odor continues, Public Health recommends residents take the following actions to lessen their exposure and any symptoms experienced and to protect the health of themselves, their family, and their pets:

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. For assistance, call 2-1-1.
Avoid prolonged outdoor activities between the hours of 9 p.m. through 8 a.m. and whenever odors are strong to reduce exposure.
Keep doors and windows closed as much as possible to prevent outdoor odors from entering the residence or business. Air out the home/business when odors are not present.
If residents have a central heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, contact an air conditioning specialist, if needed, to determine if the air filters in the 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 residents notice odors are stronger or symptoms are worse in the late evening or early morning hours (9 p.m. to 7 a.m.), residents should try running their central HVAC system throughout the night, if they have not already. Temporarily relocating may be best if this does not help.
Use a certified portable HEPA indoor air filter with activated charcoal to improve air quality in their home. If residents notice odors are stronger or symptoms are worse in the late evening or early morning hours (9 p.m. to 7 a.m.), residents should try running their portable indoor air filter throughout the night, if they have not already. Temporarily relocating may be best if this does not help.
Keep pets indoors. If residents notice any of the following in their pets, they should contact their local veterinarian: difficulty breathing, vomiting, lethargy, or nausea.

Hydrogen sulfide is a colorless gas that has a very strong odor (like “rotten egg”). Its smell can be detected and cause temporary mild to moderate symptoms even below the minimum detection limit of 1 part per million (ppm) or 1000 parts per billion (ppb) of typical equipment used to detect it. Everyone should take steps to reduce their exposure when the odors are present.

People experiencing persistent, worrisome, or worsening symptoms from the odors are encouraged to contact their health care providers, especially if they have any chronic health conditions. People should also ensure that they have adequate supplies of their medications, especially if they have heart or lung conditions. In addition, Public Health recommends temporarily leaving the area where odors are present to alleviate health impacts.

For more information on protective measures to prevent odors from entering the home, residents can contact the Public Health Community line at 626-430-9821 and leave a message with their contact information and their call will be returned. The message line will be checked every hour between 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day while odors persist.

If you live in the areas of Carson or West Carson, or the surrounding vicinity, County Public Works has a reimbursement program for the purchase of HVAC air filters, portable HEPA air filters, or for temporary relocation. during this public nuisance event. Please review the recommendations and guidance on “Air Cleaners and Filters to Improve Indoor Air Quality and Remove Odors” below before purchasing filters. Visit https://lacounty.gov/emergency/dominguez-channel for more information on the reimbursement program. Residents can click here to submit for reimbursement. For assistance, they can call 2-1-1.

In addition, residents should continue to call South Coast AQMD to report odors at 1-800-CUT-SMOG (1-800-288-7644) or use the agency’s On-line Complaint System.

Up Next

101 Freeway set to close through downtown this weekend for construction

Don't Miss

Learn to Swim scholarship coming this Off Season!

FUND LGBTQ JOURNALISM

Community Services - PSA

LGBTQ+ voter education town hall held tonight in Los Angeles

Unique Women’s Coalition, Equality California and FLUX host discussion on upcoming election.

Published

2 months ago

October 3, 2024

Gisselle Palomera

(stock photo)

The Unique Women’s Coalition, Equality California and FLUX, a national division of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, will host their second annual voter education town hall today at the Connie Norman Transgender Empowerment Center in Los Angeles from 7PM to 9PM tonight.

The organizations will present and discuss ballot propositions and measures that will appear on the November ballot and that affect the LGBTQ+ community in this part of the town hall series titled ‘The Issues.’

“The trans and nonbinary community is taking its seat at the table, and we are taking the time and space to be informed and prepare the voter base,” said Queen Victoria Ortega, international president of FLUX.

The town hall will feature conversations through a Q&A followed by a reception for program participants, organizational partners and LGBTQ+ city and county officials.

There will later be a third town hall before the election and The Connie Norman Transgender Empowerment Center will also become a voting location for anyone who feels like they need a safe space to vote, regardless of what voting district they are a part of.

“Our community is really asking for a place to talk about what all of this actually means because although we live in a blue sphere, housing and other forms of discrimination are still a very real threat,” said Scottie Jeanette Madden, director of advocacy at The Connie Norman Transgender Empowerment Center.

Community Services - PSA

Youth Baseball & Softball Leagues for the Spring 2023 are back!

Published

2 years ago

February 10, 2023

LA Blade Digital Staff

Photo Credit: County of Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES – As the world gets a little warmer and we settle into the Spring season, the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation is proud to announce the return of our Youth Baseball and Softball Leagues for the Spring 2023 season.

BASEBALL & SOFTBALL ARE BACK!

Sign up for our Spring Sports Leagues, Coming to an LA County Parks Near You!

REGISTER FOR YOUTH SPORTS LEAGUES TODAY!

YOUTH BASEBALL

Baseball season is right around the corner, now’s the perfect time to sign up your young athletes for our Youth Baseball Leagues! Our Baseball Leagues will provide an emphasis on learning fundamentals of Baseball, skill development, sportsmanship, teamwork, and fun. League will run for 10 weeks and consist of one weekday practice and one game every Saturday. Game score and league standing will be kept. Rules will be enforced. Registration fee will include uniform, award, and umpire. Qualifying teams will advance and participate in the playoffs.

Divisions & Dates:
D3-D6: April 15 – June 12

AVAILABLE AT THE FOLLOWING PARKS
Divisions 3 – 6

NORTH AGENCY

Castaic Sports Complex: 31230 N. Castaic Rd., Castaic 91384 | (661) 775 8865

George Lane Park: 5520 W. Avenue, L-8, Quartz Hill, 93534 | (661) 722 7780

Jackie Robinson Park: 8773 E. Avenue R, Littlerock, 93543 | (661) 944 2880

Stephen Sorensen Park: 16801 E. Avenue P, Lake Los Angeles, 93591 | (661) 264 1249

El Cariso: 13100 Hubbard Street, Sylmar, 91342 | (818) 367 5043

Loma Alta: 3330 North Lincoln Avenue, Altadena, 91001 | (626) 398 5451

Pearblossom Park: 33922 North 121st St East, Pearblossom, 93553 | (661) 944 2988

Val Verde Park: 30300 Arlington St Castaic, 91384 | (661) 257 4014

EAST AGENCY

Arcadia Park: 405 S. Santa Anita Ave. Arcadia 91006 | (626) 821 4619

Allen Martin Park: 14830 E. Giordano St. La Puente 91744 | (626) 918 5263

Bassett Park: 510 Vineland Ave. Bassett | (626) 333 0959

Charter Oak Park: 20261 E. Covina Blvd. Covina, 91723 | (626) 339 0411

Dalton Park: 18867 E. Armstead St., Azusa, 91702 | (626) 852 1491

Manzanita Park: 1747 S. Kwis Ave., Hacienda Heights, 91745 | (626) 336 6246

Pathfinder Park: 18150 Pathfinder Rd., Rowland Heights, 91748 (562) 690 0933

Pamela Park: 2236 Goodall Ave. Duarte, 91010 | (626) 357 1619

Rimgrove Park: 747 North Rimgrove Dr. La Puente 91744 | (626) 330 8798

Rowland Heights Park: 1500 Banida Ave. Rowland Heights, 91748 | (626) 912 6774

San Angelo Park: 245 S. San Angelo Ave. La Puente 91746 | (626) 333 6162

Sunshine Park: 515 S. Deepmead Ave. La Puente, 91744 | (626) 854 5559

Steinmetz Park: 1545 S. Stimson Ave. Hacienda Heights, 91748 | (626) 855 5383

Valleydale Park: 5225 N. Lark Ellen Ave., Azusa, CA 91702 – (626) 334-8020

SOUTH AGENCY

Amigo Park: 5700 Juarez Ave. Whittier, 90606 | (562) 908-4702

La Mirada Park: 13701 South Adelfa Ave. La Mirada, 90638 | (562) 902-5645

Mayberry Park: 13201 East Meyer Rd, Whittier, 90605 | (562) 944-9727

Sorenson Park: 11419 Rosehedge Dr. Whittier, 90606 | (562) 908-7763

GIRLS SOFTBALL

Girl’s Softball League will provide an emphasis on learning fundamentals of Softball, skill development, sportsmanship, teamwork, and fun. League will run for 10 weeks and consist of one weekday practice and one game every Saturday. Game score and league standing will be kept. Softball rules will be enforced. Registration fee will include uniform, award, and umpire. Qualifying teams will be advance and participate in the playoffs.

Divisions & Dates

D3 – D6: April 15 – June 12

AVAILABLE AT THE FOLLOWING PARKS
DIVISIONS 3 – 6