CCL Survey Banner
Notice: The voluntary online survey (Oct 2024 – Feb 2026) has concluded. We deeply appreciate those who shared their experiences, which helped agencies better understand patterns of odors and impacts in the community. People can still report health concerns through email or the community phone line, and odor complaints to the South Coast Air Quality Monitoring District. See Ongoing Actions below.

Summary of Participant Responses

Summary of voluntarily shared community experiences from October 2024 through February 2026

What the Data Shows

--- Survey Responses

The online survey collected responses from community members about their experiences with odors near the Chiquita Canyon Landfill (CCL). The survey was available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from October 2024 through February 2026. This voluntary survey provides insights into patterns of experiences reported by a range of community members.

Impact on Daily Life

--- reported the odor significantly impacted their daily activities.

Health-related Effects

--- noted experiencing headaches.

--- reported irritation of the eyes, nose, or throat.

Odor Intensity

--- reported the odor as highly offensive.

--- reported the odor as very strong.

Odor Duration and Timing

--- reported that odors lasted 4–12 hours.

--- reported odors occurring from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Heat Map

The heat map shows where survey respondents indicated they experienced the odor. Dark red areas represent the highest number of responses, while lighter orange areas indicate fewer responses. This map highlights the locations where survey respondents indicate they smelled the odors, but it does not show the severity of any reported odors.

Pie Chart Cluster Map

The pie chart cluster map groups survey responses by location where the odor was experienced and displays them as pie charts. The size of each chart represents the total number of responses in that area, while the slices show the different levels of odor severity. Larger pie charts indicate areas with more responses indicated, and the colors within each chart reflect the reported severity of odors.

To view a summary of all the responses to date, please click the button below.

Background

Since early 2022, the Chiquita Canyon Landfill (CCL) has been experiencing an expanding subsurface reaction - leading to several issues for community members nearby. These include unpleasant odors being released, which have resulted in thousands of complaints.

Why The Survey Was Conducted

The Department of Public Health voluntary online survey (October 2024-February 2026) was designed to better understand community members’ experiences with odors following the subsurface reaction at the CCL, including:

  • Where and when odors are noticed
  • The type and strength of the odors
  • How long the odors last
  • Any effects these odors have on survey participants’ health and daily activities

The survey was intended to serve as a temporary tool to help identify patterns of community experiences and help inform response activities.

Public Health and its partners deeply appreciate those who voluntarily shared their experiences.

Since the launch of the online Survey, the patterns of responses remained relatively consistent. Odor complaints to South Coast AQMD continued to result in Notices of Violation. And multiple orders from different agencies to reduce risks and impacts of this incident remain in effect for the Landfill.

Ongoing Actions

The environmental incident at the landfill is ongoing and unresolved. Local, state, and federal agencies are continuing to work with the landfill operator to monitor and control the reaction and effectively reduce these odors and their impact on neighboring communities.

The County also continues to pursue legal and administrative avenues against the landfill operator to abate the nuisance odors that are impacting nearby communities.

Submitting Complaints

Public Health will continue to collect health complaints through the Public Health community phone line and email.

Health concerns can be reported to Public Health by calling the community line at (626) 430-9821 or by emailing DPH-OEJCH@ph.lacounty.gov.

Odor complaints can still be reported to South Coast AQMD through their online complaint system or by calling 1-800-CUT-SMOG® (1-800-288-7664).

We encourage community members to continue using these complaint channels because the information helps the County understand current conditions and guide response efforts.