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Big Stink Further: Documents Indicate AQMD Received Over Two Dozen Complaints -- Including One From LB Mayor's Office -- Reporting Very Strong Gas/Sulfur/Rotten Egg Odor In Belmont Shore/ELB Area July 26-28

(August 28, 2003) -- Documents obtained by LBReport.com under state freedom of information (public records) law indicate the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) received at least 29 complaints from LB residents (mainly from the Belmont Shore/Heights and southern ELB/Los Altos areas) reporting a very strong natural gas, sulfur or rotten egg odor July 26-28.

The agency responded by dispatching investigators who apparently arrived after the stench subsided, reported no detectable odor and declared its source unknown.

The Air Quality Complaint Reports -- including one from the LB Mayor's office -- variously reported:

"Smells like sulfur"

"Horrible gas smell in the air"

"Smell of natural gas"

"Strong refinery type smell"

"Strong sewer gas type smell"

"Strong sulfur odor"

"Very strong rotten egg odor"

One of the complaints said the strong odor was causing nausea.

LBReport.com has separately learned that LBFD received roughly 50 complaints concerning the matter and referred some or all of them to AQMD.

In response to nine of the AQMD complaints, one investigator stated on the report forms:

"Location of the complainants and wind conditions at the time indicated that the odors may have come from an offshore source. THUMS Islands, one fuel tanker and two barges were located upwind at the time of the complaints."

The AQMD -- the agency responsible for ensuring healthful air quality through the regulation of mobile and stationary sources in the region -- produced no documents indicating it subsequently determined whether the source was offshore or not. The forms do not indicate whether the odor might have been organic, industrial, toxic, potentially flammable or health impacting.

In the public interest, LBReport.com posts salient portions of the AQMD Air Quality Complaint Reports below.

On its web site, AQMD states in pertinent part:

...Complaints received after normal business hours or during the weekend are usually dispatched to an AQMD Inspector for follow-up the next business day, unless the air quality incident appears to pose a particularly serious threat to the health or safety of a considerable number of persons. Complaints which allege such a public nuisance are usually dispatched to an Inspector for prompt follow-up after they are received by AQMD...
Some air quality problems -- particularly odors which last for a brief period of time -- dissipate so rapidly that they are very difficult to verify. When complaints like these are reported (especially by drive-by or anonymous complainants, and particularly after hours) there may be no further action other than a follow-up call from an AQMD Inspector.
In contrast, if a public nuisance is suspected, an immediate investigation of the alleged source may be necessary.
Whenever possible, an AQMD Inspector contacts complainants by telephone to determine the cause of the complaint and the nature and source of the alleged air quality problem, and to attempt to resolve the complaint, if possible...
...If a complaint cannot be immediately resolved by phone, the Inspector locates and verifies the alleged source by surveying and canvassing the suspected area. On verifying the source, the Inspector conducts a facility inspection to verify the complaint and determine the cause of the air quality problem...

LBReport.com has transcribed salient portions of the AQMD Air Quality Complaint Reports and placed them in tabular form below. They speak for themselves.

Received Description Inspector comment

7/26/03, 17:07:00 Receiving odor complaints @ Pacific Coast Highway @ Loens [sic, means Loynes] & Belmont Shores [sic] area. I arrived in the Belmont Shore area pursuant to multiple complaints. The sky was clear and there was a 0-3 MPH wind from the Southwest. At this time I did not detect any odors. I spoke with [name redacted] by telephone located at [redacted] explained that she smelled a strong rotten egg odor earlier but that she no longer smelled the odor at this time. [Name redacted] also said that she was leaving her current location. I explained AQMD policies and procedures and ended the conversation. I conducted odor surveillance in the area but did not smell any odors. I left the area.

7/27/03, 14:10:00 Smell of Sewage in the Air -- Receiving Several Calls Regarding the Odor [indicates complainant believes source in 3700 block Ocean Blvd.] None

7/27/03, 14:12:00 Refinery smell None

7/27/03, 14:22:00 Odor that smells like gas leak [indicates complainant believes in 90803] None

7/27/03, 14:56:00 Gas smell -- calling from [redacted] [indicates complainant believes source Ocean Blvd. @ 38th Pl.] None

7/27/03

17:16:00

17:24:00

17:28:00

17:28:00

17:39:00

17:41:00

18:07:00

18:22:00
Collectively refers to separate complaints:
Rotten egg smell emitting

Smells like sulfur

Horrible gas smell in the air -- pls contact

Smells like a gas release -- Pls call

Smell of natural gas

Receiving very strong odor of sulfur

Receiving a rash of phone calls regarding area odors

Smell of natural gas in air -- pls call
Report indicates inspection on 7/27/03 at 18:19 hours for the following:
Complainants contacted: Yes. All complaints were natural gas/sulfur odors. [Redacted] was contacted by phone. He stated that he suspected DWP Haynes to be the source but could not detect the odors any longer. [Redacted] and [redacted] did not answer the door, left business cards. [Redacted] and [redacted] were contacted by phone. I left message for on his answering machine. Left message for [redacted] with [redacted] daughter on 7/29/03 at 0842 hours.
Were odors detected: No. I did not detect any odors at the complainant's locations or on the roads that I traveled.
Were odors verified: No.
Source of odors: Unknown. I inspected AES Alamitos and DWP Haynes and observed that their operations were normal...Location of the complainants and wind conditions at the time indicated that the odors may have come from an offshore source. THUMS Islands, one fuel tanker and two barges were located upwind at the time of the complaints.

7/28/03, 15:46:47 Strong refinery type smell going on now please contact [7/28: Separate complaints with nearly identical inspector comments]: I arrived in the Belmont Shore area pursuant to multiple complaints. The sky was clear and there was a 0-3 MPH wind from the Southwest. At this time I did not detect any odors. I conducted odor surveillance in the area for the next four hours with Inspector [we redact name] and did not detect any odors. I left the area.

7/28/03, 15:50:14 Strong sewer gas type smell going on now please contact ...I spoke with [redacted] by telephone. [Redacted] explained that he smelled strong rotten egg odor earlier but that he no longer smelled the odor at this time. I explained AQMD policies and procedures and ended the conversation. I conducted odor surveillance in the area for 4 hours with Inspector [we redact name] and did not smell any odors. I left the area.

7/28/03, 15:52:05 Natural gas odor ...At this time I did not detect any odors. I conducted odor surveillance in the area for the next four hours with Inspector [we redact name] and did not detect any odors. I left the area.

7/28/03, 15:52:59 Terrible odor smells like gas ...At this time I did not detect any odors. I conducted odor surveillance in the area for the next four hours with Inspector [we redact name] and did not detect any odors. I left the area.

7/28/03, 15:53:03 Very strong rotten egg odor going now please contact ...At this time I did not detect any odors. I attempted to contact [redacted] by telephone. There was no answer machine so I could not leave a message. I conducted odor surveillance in the area for 4 hours with Inspector [we redact name] and did not detect any odors. I left the area.

7/28/03, 15:54:43 Gas odor - Causing Nausea -- Calling from [redacted] ...At this time, I did not detect any odors. I spoke with [redacted] by telephone, [redacted] explained that she smelled a strong rotten egg odor earlier but that he [sic] no longer smelled the odor at this time. I explained AQMD policies and procedures and ended the conversation. I conducted odor surveillance in the area for 4 hours with Inspector [we redact name] and did not detect any odors. I left the area.

7/28/03, 15:55:36 Strong sulfur odor going on now please contact ...At this time, I did not detect any odors. I left a telephone message for [redacted]. I conducted odor surveillance in the area for the next four hours with Inspector [we redact name] and did not detect any odors. I left the area.

7/28/03, 15:57:59 Very strong rotten egg odor going on now please contact ...At this time, I did not detect any odors. I conducted odor surveillance in the area for the next four hours with Inspector [we redact name] and did not detect any odors. I left the area.

7/28/03, 16:00:03 Natural gas type smell -- Calling from Long Beach Mayor's Office -- Pls call ...At this time, I did not detect any odors. I conducted odor surveillance in the area for the next four hours with Inspector [we redact name] and did not detect any odors. I left the area.

7/28/03, 16:03:15 Very strong rotten eggs odor ...At this time, I did not detect any odors. I conducted odor surveillance in the area for the next four hours with Inspector [we redact name] and did not detect any odors. I left the area.

7/28/03, 16:05:03 Very strong sulfur odor going on now ...At this time, I did not detect any odors. I conducted odor surveillance in the area for the next four hours with Inspector [we redact name] and did not detect any odors. I left the area.

7/28/03, 16:06:50 Strong rotten egg smell going on now ...At this time, I did not detect any odors. I conducted odor surveillance in the area for the next four hours with Inspector [we redact name] and did not detect any odors. I left the area.

7/28/03, 16:22:10 Strong sulfur smell going on now please contact ...At this time, I did not detect any odors. I conducted odor surveillance in the area for the next four hours with Inspector [we redact name] and did not detect any odors. I left the area.

7/28/03, 16:24:52 Very strong sulfur odor please contact ...At this time, I did not detect any odors. I conducted odor surveillance in the area for the next four hours with Inspector [we redact name] and did not detect any odors. I left the area.

7/28/03, 16:38:00 Terrible gas odors [complainant believes near 7th/Bellflower] ...At this time I did not detect any odors. I met [redacted] who said that earlier she smelled a strong gas odor. [Redacted] said that she did not smell any odors at this time. I conducted odor surveillance in the area for the next four hours with Inspector [we redact name] and did not detect any odors. I left the area.

7/28/03, 17:30 Gas Odors [complainant believes near 7th/Santiago] None

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Received	Description	Inspector comment
7/26/03, 17:07:00	Receiving odor complaints @ Pacific Coast Highway @ Loens [sic, means Loynes] & Belmont Shores [sic] area.	I arrived in the Belmont Shore area pursuant to multiple complaints. The sky was clear and there was a 0-3 MPH wind from the Southwest. At this time I did not detect any odors. I spoke with [name redacted] by telephone located at [redacted] explained that she smelled a strong rotten egg odor earlier but that she no longer smelled the odor at this time. [Name redacted] also said that she was leaving her current location. I explained AQMD policies and procedures and ended the conversation. I conducted odor surveillance in the area but did not smell any odors. I left the area.
7/27/03, 14:10:00	Smell of Sewage in the Air -- Receiving Several Calls Regarding the Odor [indicates complainant believes source in 3700 block Ocean Blvd.]	None
7/27/03, 14:12:00	Refinery smell	None
7/27/03, 14:22:00	Odor that smells like gas leak [indicates complainant believes in 90803]	None
7/27/03, 14:56:00	Gas smell -- calling from [redacted] [indicates complainant believes source Ocean Blvd. @ 38th Pl.]	None
7/27/03 17:16:00 17:24:00 17:28:00 17:28:00 17:39:00 17:41:00 18:07:00 18:22:00	Collectively refers to separate complaints: Rotten egg smell emitting Smells like sulfur Horrible gas smell in the air -- pls contact Smells like a gas release -- Pls call Smell of natural gas Receiving very strong odor of sulfur Receiving a rash of phone calls regarding area odors Smell of natural gas in air -- pls call	Report indicates inspection on 7/27/03 at 18:19 hours for the following: Complainants contacted: Yes. All complaints were natural gas/sulfur odors. [Redacted] was contacted by phone. He stated that he suspected DWP Haynes to be the source but could not detect the odors any longer. [Redacted] and [redacted] did not answer the door, left business cards. [Redacted] and [redacted] were contacted by phone. I left message for on his answering machine. Left message for [redacted] with [redacted] daughter on 7/29/03 at 0842 hours. Were odors detected: No. I did not detect any odors at the complainant's locations or on the roads that I traveled. Were odors verified: No. Source of odors: Unknown. I inspected AES Alamitos and DWP Haynes and observed that their operations were normal...Location of the complainants and wind conditions at the time indicated that the odors may have come from an offshore source. THUMS Islands, one fuel tanker and two barges were located upwind at the time of the complaints.
7/28/03, 15:46:47	Strong refinery type smell going on now please contact	[7/28: Separate complaints with nearly identical inspector comments]: I arrived in the Belmont Shore area pursuant to multiple complaints. The sky was clear and there was a 0-3 MPH wind from the Southwest. At this time I did not detect any odors. I conducted odor surveillance in the area for the next four hours with Inspector [we redact name] and did not detect any odors. I left the area.
7/28/03, 15:50:14	Strong sewer gas type smell going on now please contact	...I spoke with [redacted] by telephone. [Redacted] explained that he smelled strong rotten egg odor earlier but that he no longer smelled the odor at this time. I explained AQMD policies and procedures and ended the conversation. I conducted odor surveillance in the area for 4 hours with Inspector [we redact name] and did not smell any odors. I left the area.
7/28/03, 15:52:05	Natural gas odor	...At this time I did not detect any odors. I conducted odor surveillance in the area for the next four hours with Inspector [we redact name] and did not detect any odors. I left the area.
7/28/03, 15:52:59	Terrible odor smells like gas	...At this time I did not detect any odors. I conducted odor surveillance in the area for the next four hours with Inspector [we redact name] and did not detect any odors. I left the area.
7/28/03, 15:53:03	Very strong rotten egg odor going now please contact	...At this time I did not detect any odors. I attempted to contact [redacted] by telephone. There was no answer machine so I could not leave a message. I conducted odor surveillance in the area for 4 hours with Inspector [we redact name] and did not detect any odors. I left the area.
7/28/03, 15:54:43	Gas odor - Causing Nausea -- Calling from [redacted]	...At this time, I did not detect any odors. I spoke with [redacted] by telephone, [redacted] explained that she smelled a strong rotten egg odor earlier but that he [sic] no longer smelled the odor at this time. I explained AQMD policies and procedures and ended the conversation. I conducted odor surveillance in the area for 4 hours with Inspector [we redact name] and did not detect any odors. I left the area.
7/28/03, 15:55:36	Strong sulfur odor going on now please contact	...At this time, I did not detect any odors. I left a telephone message for [redacted]. I conducted odor surveillance in the area for the next four hours with Inspector [we redact name] and did not detect any odors. I left the area.
7/28/03, 15:57:59	Very strong rotten egg odor going on now please contact	...At this time, I did not detect any odors. I conducted odor surveillance in the area for the next four hours with Inspector [we redact name] and did not detect any odors. I left the area.
7/28/03, 16:00:03	Natural gas type smell -- Calling from Long Beach Mayor's Office -- Pls call	...At this time, I did not detect any odors. I conducted odor surveillance in the area for the next four hours with Inspector [we redact name] and did not detect any odors. I left the area.
7/28/03, 16:03:15	Very strong rotten eggs odor	...At this time, I did not detect any odors. I conducted odor surveillance in the area for the next four hours with Inspector [we redact name] and did not detect any odors. I left the area.
7/28/03, 16:05:03	Very strong sulfur odor going on now	...At this time, I did not detect any odors. I conducted odor surveillance in the area for the next four hours with Inspector [we redact name] and did not detect any odors. I left the area.
7/28/03, 16:06:50	Strong rotten egg smell going on now	...At this time, I did not detect any odors. I conducted odor surveillance in the area for the next four hours with Inspector [we redact name] and did not detect any odors. I left the area.
7/28/03, 16:22:10	Strong sulfur smell going on now please contact	...At this time, I did not detect any odors. I conducted odor surveillance in the area for the next four hours with Inspector [we redact name] and did not detect any odors. I left the area.
7/28/03, 16:24:52	Very strong sulfur odor please contact	...At this time, I did not detect any odors. I conducted odor surveillance in the area for the next four hours with Inspector [we redact name] and did not detect any odors. I left the area.
7/28/03, 16:38:00	Terrible gas odors [complainant believes near 7th/Bellflower]	...At this time I did not detect any odors. I met [redacted] who said that earlier she smelled a strong gas odor. [Redacted] said that she did not smell any odors at this time. I conducted odor surveillance in the area for the next four hours with Inspector [we redact name] and did not detect any odors. I left the area.
7/28/03, 17:30	Gas Odors [complainant believes near 7th/Santiago]	None