1. Check the community air monitoring readings for hydrogen sulfide levels nearest your home. South Coast AQMD also has 12 fixed air monitors, plus one temporary monitor, located throughout the community as part of its Rule 1180 Refinery Fence line and Community Air Monitoring Program (see map below). To view near real-time data from South Coast AQMD’s air monitoring system, as well as past data, please visit their Rule 1180 Community Air Monitoring webpage (https://bit.ly/3bWhucc).
   
   It is important to note that odors may come and go, even if the hydrogen sulfide levels are below the Air Quality Standard of 30 ppb. Some can even smell hydrogen sulfide in the air at levels as low as 0.4 ppb. Hydrogen sulfide occurs both naturally and from human-made processes. Hydrogen sulfide is associated with municipal sewers and sewage treatment plants, gas and oil drilling operations, farms with manure storage or livestock confinement facilities, and landfills. For more information on hydrogen sulfide, read the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry’s Hydrogen Sulfide – ToxFAQs, which answers the most frequently asked health questions (FAQs) about hydrogen sulfide.
   
   If you notice “rotten egg” or “sulfur” odors, you can continue to report them online with South Coast Air Quality Management District at http://www.aqmd.gov/home/air-quality/complaints, or by telephone at 1-800-CUT-SMOG (1-800-288-7664).
2. Residents who temporarily relocated should review the Preparing to Return Home Tip Sheet and take steps now to prepare for returning home. Before returning home to stay, follow the steps in the Tip Sheet to air out any odors that may have accumulated inside your home during your absence.
3. If any foul odors are present outdoors, close your windows and doors. Take the following actions to lessen any symptoms experienced and to protect the health of you, your family, and your pets:
   1. Pay attention to your health when the odor is present.
      1. If you have any symptoms that feel life threatening, seek immediate medical care.
      2. People experiencing persistent, worrisome, or worsening symptoms from the odors are encouraged to contact their health care providers, especially if they have any chronic health conditions. People should also ensure that they have adequate supplies of their medications, especially if they have heart or lung conditions. In addition, Public Health recommends temporarily leaving the area where odors are present to alleviate symptoms if they occur..
   2. Avoid prolonged outdoor activities whenever outdoor odors are strong to reduce your exposure.
   3. Prevent outdoor odors from coming indoors. Keep doors and windows closed as much as possible to prevent outdoor odors from entering your residence or business. Air out your home/business when odors are not present.
   4. Improve the air quality inside your home or business. This can be done using your central HVAC system or portable indoor air purifiers while your doors and windows closed.
      1. If you have a central heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, contact an air conditioning specialist, if needed, to determine if the air filters in your system may be replaced with High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) or MERV‐rated filters with activated charcoal (carbon) to improve the air quality inside.
      2. Use a certified portable HEPA indoor air filter with activated charcoal to improve air quality in your home. See some examples of portable HEPA indoor air filters with activated carbon below or on the reverse side for consideration.
   5. Monitor your pets for symptoms. Keep pets indoors when odors are present outside. If you notice any of the following in your pets, please contact your local veterinarian: difficulty breathing, vomiting, lethargy, or nausea.
4. For businesses that may be impacted by the foul odors, if you notice strong odors inside your building when opening in the morning, Public Health recommends businesses run their air‐conditioning units 1‐2 hours, if possible, before on‐site operations begin. Doing so will increase air flow inside your business and help reduce any odors present that may have built up overnight.

For more information on protective measures to prevent odors from entering the home or if you continue to experience symptoms due to odors after taking steps to improve the air quality in your home, please contact the Public Health Community line at 626‐430‐9821 and leave a message with your contact information. Your call will be returned. The message line will be checked every hour between 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day

ARE ODORS HARMFUL TO MY HEALTH?

Hydrogen sulfide is a colorless gas that has a very strong odor (like “rotten egg”). Its smell can be noticed and cause temporary mild to moderate symptoms well below the detection limit on typical equipment [1 part per million (ppm) or 1000 parts per billion (ppb)]. Everyone should take steps to reduce their exposure when the odors are present. The health effects of hydrogen sulfide can vary depending on the level and duration of exposure. The levels detected, thus far, are not expected to cause irreversible health effects. They have been high enough to cause a strong, foul odor in the community, which in some cases can lead to headaches and irritation in the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. These symptoms may be accompanied by dizziness, nausea/vomiting or abdominal discomfort. These symptoms should be short‐term and typically resolve when the odor goes away or when the person is in an area where the odors are not present. Symptoms can be worse in people with pre‐existing lung or heart conditions, such as asthma, COPD, or heart disease. If symptoms are persistent, worrisome, or worsening, seek medical attention and take steps to reduce exposure to the odors or temporarily relocate to another area until the odors go away.

Reimbursement Program

If you live in in the areas of Carson, West Carson, or the surrounding vicinity, County Public Works continues to offer a reimbursement program. Be sure to review the County’s terms and reimbursement rates for air filters, air purifiers, and relocation costs for the County’s reimbursement program on the following website: https://dpw.lacounty.gov/general/eforms/SimpleWorkflow/522.aspx. Also, review the recommendations and guidance on “Air Cleaners and Filters to Improve Indoor Air Quality and Remove Odors” below before purchasing filters. Visit https://lacounty.gov/emergency for more information on the reimbursement program.

To submit requests for reimbursement, you may click here or visit the following website, https://dpw.lacounty.gov/general/eforms/SimpleWorkflow/522.aspx. For assistance, call 2-1-1.

County Public Works and Public Health representatives are available at the following locations to answer health questions and offer assistance with the reimbursement application process.

Air Cleaners and Filters to Improve Indoor Air Quality and Remove Odors

As described above, if properly configured and maintained, air filters, designed for use in HVAC systems, may have the greatest potential to improve the air quality inside your home because most HVACs circulate very large volumes of filtered air. Portable units are usually best for single room use, rather than multiple room or whole‐house use, because of their limited capacity to circulate large volumes of filtered air.

How to Choose an HVAC Air Filters with activated carbon

These are available for purchase online, e.g., through Amazon or Walmart, and at local stores. You must choose the correct sized filter for your HVAC system. Follow the steps below when choosing a HVAC Air Filter with activated carbon:

1. Check your furnace manual for the correct sized filter or check the existing filter to determine dimensions. Most filters have the size prominently displayed on the surface in numerous places.
2. Look for filters designated as HEPA or that are Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV)-rated. The higher the value, the more particles are removed.
3. Look for filters with activated charcoal or activated carbon. They are commonly labeled as “odor eliminator,” “odor control,” or “odor reduction.”

Some Examples of Certified Portable Air Filters/Cleaners, as listed by the California Air Resources Board (CARB)

These are just listed as examples; other brands and models of portable HEPA filters with activated carbon/charcoal exist. The ones listed were found to be available on Amazon and at local stores.

California Air Resources Board (CARB) Certification

State regulation requires all air cleaners sold or distributed in California to be certified as not exceeding 50 parts per billion of ozone. CARB offers a list of certified air cleaner models on its web page. Note that this certification only covers ozone emissions and electrical safety; it does not include performance testing for removal of particles or chemicals from the airstream.

OTHER RESOURCES

Please use the links below for the latest information on the following:

• Information about hydrogen sulfide https://lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Hydrogen-Sulfide-ToxFAQs.pdf
• Updates regarding the response and related activities and community supports
  Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management
  https://lacounty.gov/emergency/
• Current monitoring and findings:
  South Coast Air Quality Management District
  https://www.aqmd.gov/home/news-events/community-investigations/dominguez-channel