People in the South Bay this past weekend, especially those living near the Tijuana River Valley (TJRV), experienced high hydrogen sulfide (H2S) emissions, often recognized by a strong rotten egg smell.
San Diego Air Pollution Control District monitors reported the average hydrogen sulfide emissions in the Tijuana River Valley in the four-hour period between 9 p.m. Sunday and 1 a.m. Monday was 384 parts per billion (ppb), which exceeded the Level 1 Federal Acute Exposure Guideline Level (AEGL) threshold of 360 ppb. The levels were recorded at the Nestor monitor atop Berry Elementary School which is closest to where Saturn Boulevard crosses the river and a drop in elevation creates a small waterfall that can cause the wastewater to foam which in turn can boost emissions.
By 10 a.m. emissions at the Nestor monitor dropped to 5 ppb, below the San Diego Air Pollution Control District (SDAPCD) 30 ppb H2S advisory threshold. The H2S emissions are being tracked by the SDAPCD’s network of monitors. The public can sign up to receive email and/or text alerts when emissions surpass 30 parts per billion. Current emission levels and other Tijuana River Valley pollution data are also tracked on the County’s Tijuana River Valley dashboard…