The Stink Goes On: Salton Sea Odor Advisory Extended

COACHELLA VALLEY, CA — An odor advisory from the Salton Sea region, initially set to expire Tuesday, was extended through Thursday by the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

Officials "extended an odor advisory until Thursday for the Coachella Valley due to elevated levels of a gas that smells like rotten eggs. That gas, hydrogen sulfide, is associated with natural processes occurring in the Salton Sea," the agency said.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District first issued the advisory Sunday after detecting hydrogen-sulfide concentrations at 239 parts per billion — exceeding the state standard of 30 parts per billion — in a sparsely populated area immediately downwind from the Salton Sea.

Over the past week, hydrogen-sulfide concentrations were elevated, according to a monitor close to the shore. Highest concentrations occurred when winds were blowing from the south, particularly during morning hours, officials said.

Due to winds from the south expected during daytime Wednesday and Thursday, elevated hydrogen-sulfide emissions from the Salton Sea will continue, with elevated concentrations expected during the day, with peak concentrations in the morning, the department said.

Elevated levels of the gas near the lake are relatively common and area product of natural processes in the water. There is increased potential for the foul-smelling odors as winds shift, especially during the summer in the early morning and late afternoon, or as thunderstorms occur over the southwestern U.S. deserts, according to the AQMD.

The levels detected can cause headaches and nausea, but there are no long-term health risks associated with those symptoms, agency officials said.

The district monitors hydrogen sulfide at two locations in the southeastern Coachella Valley -- one near the Salton Sea shoreline and the other in Mecca.

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--City News Service contributed to this report