Carson's Mystery Odor A Public Nuisance, Say City Leaders

CARSON, CA — A mysterious odor plaguing residents in Carson is affecting the quality of life, according to city leaders.

The Carson City Council was slated to declare the funky smell emanating from the area around the Dominguez Channel a "public nuisance" Monday. For about a week, residents and the Los Angeles County Public Works department, the fire department, the Department of Public Health and the Air Quality Management District have sought to identify the cause of the odor without success.

The smell, which is similar to rotten eggs, has been centered upon the channel at the intersection of South Avalon Boulevard. Residents in the area have been advised to keep their windows and doors closed until officials can get a handle on the problem. The odor is not considered a health threat, according to public health and air quality officials.

Initial indications suggested the odor, which has been emanating for about a week, was the result of organic material along the channel. On Friday, Mayor Lula Davis-Holmes wrote on Facebook that the cause of the odor had been identified as "a hydrogen sulfide leaking pipeline," but by Sunday, she wrote that the leaking-pipeline theory "has been ruled out," saying investigators again were focusing on "organic waste material drying out after being exposed during low tide."

Last week, the city issued a statement expressing frustration with the smell.

"AQMD has systematically evaluated potential facility sources from the base of the Dominguez Channel, spreading out from there to inspect oil refineries in Carson and Wilmington, tank farms, waste treatment and waste facilities. Preliminary findings are that there has been no release. AQMD does not believe the odors will cause any health impacts beyond nuisance type effects. No official statement from AQMD or the county regarding these preliminary findings or potential health impacts has been made at this time," the statement said.

The city statement also included a statement from Carson Mayor Lula Davis-Holmes.
"It has been three days and we have been asking the various involved agencies to put out a statement to explain what is going on and to ensure that our residents are safe, but have been unsuccessful," Davis-Holmes said.

"The odor being smelled is believed to be ... Hydrogen Sulfide. It is my understanding that prolonged exposure is harmful to humans. I am therefore calling for an investigation and depending upon the results of this investigation and the negative impacts to my residents; the city might consider initiating a class action lawsuit similar to what happened in Porter Ranch.

To file an odor complaint or share more information, call 800-CUT-SMOG or 800-288-7664.

City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.