Here's What AQMD and LBFD Say (Once Again) About Latest Long Beach "Mystery Stink"
LBREPORT.com is reader and advertiser supported. Support independent news in LB similar to the way people support NPR and PBS stations. We're not non-profit so it's not tax deductible but $49.95 (less than an annual dollar a week) helps keep us online.
(Dec. 29, 2016) -- The South Coast Air Quality Management District (the regional government agency charged with enforcing multiple federal and state laws and its own rules on air pollutants) has told LBREPORT.com -- as on multiple previous occasions -- that it was unable to identify the source of the latest mystery stink (Dec. 28, midafternoon), affecting LB's downtown, shoreline and areas eastward (based on social network resident reports perceptible about a mile or two inland.) Also unknown at this point: the composition of the chemicals to which people were exposed on this occasions...and previous ones.
SCAQMD spokesperson Tina Cox tells LBREPORT.com the agency "received 7 complaints and an inspector was dispatched to the area. No odors were detected by the inspector and no source was identified."
LBFD Public Information Officer Capt. Mark Miller tells LBREPORT.com that between 12:27 p.m. until about 2:30 p.m. on Dec. 28, LBFD received 28 calls reporting the odor, the majority from LB's downtown. Capt. Miller says the calls started from the south shore (Hotel Maya area) and then spread into downtown, including the area of LBPD HQ and City Hall. The furthest NE call LBFD says it received came from the 300 block of E. 6th St.
[Ed. comment: These only represent called-in reports. As with to LB Airport noise complaints, many more people are affected than take the time and trouble to call and report it.)
[Scroll down for further.]
Capt. Miller says LB Firefighters carry detectors that can measure methane, hydrogen sulfate, carbon monoxide and oxygen levels...and firefighters on scene found nothing determined to be dangerous or above flammable limits.
However people's noses are more sensitive...and dispatches on the LongBeachCalifFacebook page included these reports:
I am at Long Beach Memorial Hospital and it is really strong here!
5th near Alamitos, we were smelling it a couple of hours ago.
It was pretty strong near the traffic circle.
I smell it around PCH and Anaheim
I noticed the smell...15th and Orizaba
I smelled a strong gas smell on PCH and Orange by CVS
...Very concerned they haven't found the source since it obviously was widespread beyond downtown.
LBREPORT.com has reported "mystery stinks" (dating back to at least 2003) and each time SCAQMD has said it wasn't able to identify the source [or the component chemicals to which residents were exposed.] The odors usually affect areas from downtown to SE LB, most strongly felt near the shoreline and gradually decreasing in strength inland (by roughly PCH/Willow/405 freeway, not exact and varies with incident.)
Advertisement
Advertisement
After two mystery stinks in 2014, SCAQMD held a community meeting in Long Beach on the issue on Nov. 18, 2014 at SE LB's Golden Sails Hotel. At that meeting, Ed Pupka, SCAQMD's Sr. Enforcement Mgr., Engineering and Compliance, indicated that a number of sources might be responsible for the LB area odors and the agency suspects some type of offshore source(s). Mr. Pupka said SCAQMD has sent investigators out to investigate previous odor incidents but noted the incidents are transitory. He said that at this point, the agency isn't able to say with certainty exactly what source(s) are responsible. He encouraged residents to report odor events in real time via 1-800 CUTSMOG and the agency's website complaint system at this link. He said the phone line (including voice messages) and the website are monitored and retrieved promptly.
That response drew pointed testimony and questions from a Belmont Heights resident who said she's reported incidents previously and pressed for answers and remedies going forward. After the meeting, the resident told LBREPORT.com that SCAQMD reps spoke with her personally indicated the agency might be willing to provide her with an air sampling unit in an effort to more swiftly capture air samples when odor events occurred.
It's unclear exactly what became of the resident's constructive suggestion...or why SCAQMD doesn't simply equip LBFD with air sampling devices so LB Firefighters can capture air samples of the odor event (before the odor dissipates) and provide them to SCAQMD for analysis [to at minimum learn its chemical components to which people are being exposed.]
Advertisement
Advertisement
Less than a year later on Aug. 31, 2015, another mystery stink occurred, experienced by residents along shoreline areas and parts of southerly ELB. At that time, LB's Gas and Oil Dept. received nearly 50 calls, and the agency's then-Director, Chris Garner, indicated that "As we always do, we immediately checked out pipeline system's pressure. No pressure drop which indicates no major rupture or leakage. Then verified no issues occurring on our oil islands. Dispatched two Gas Field Reps with special gas detectors to area to check area for a minor natural gas leak. The results were negative for natural gas. Reported mysterious odor to AQMD which sent out a rep. He believes it is more of a sulphuric odor but has been unable to pinpoint any source at this time."
