Another Odor Advisory Issued for Coachella Valley

An odor advisory was issued Sunday for the Coachella Valley warning of an odor similar to rotten eggs, continuing a trend of hydrogen sulfide gas emissions in the area.

The gas is associated with natural processes occurring in the Salton Sea, according to a South Coast Air Quality Management District press release.

Hourly average concentrations of hydrogen sulfide reached a peak of 81 parts per billion near midnight Saturday, the AQMD reported. The state standard for outdoor levels of hydrogen sulfide is 30 parts per billion, at which level headaches and nausea are common. However, the gas is not expected to remain above the state standard for long today.

The AQMD monitors hydrogen sulfide at two locations in the southeast Coachella Valley, one near the Salton Sea and one in the city of Mecca, where concentrations did not exceed 30 parts per billion on Saturday.

Southwestern winds could carry the odors to other areas of the Valley, according to the AQMD.

The advisory is in effect until midnight on Monday.

• --City News Service, photo via Wiki Commons