A new study published in Science has drawn a direct link between sewage pollution in the Tijuana River and hazardous air quality in nearby San Diego communities.
Researchers found hydrogen sulfide from the river transferring into the air at concentrations up to 4,500 times higher than typical urban levels. The toxic, colorless gas – which smells like rotten eggs and forms when organic matter in sewage breaks down – has long been suspected as the root of health complaints among South Bay residents, including respiratory problems, fatigue, headaches, and irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat…