Public Health Offers Guidance After East LA Oil Spill Contained

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is providing guidance after a ruptured pipeline released approximately 2,400 gallons of crude oil in East Los Angeles near Cesar Chavez and Eastern Ave and went into nearby storm drains.

The leak has been controlled and is no longer releasing crude oil in the streets.

Public Health continues to work with agency partners involved in cleanup and monitoring efforts.

Public Health Guidance:

If you smell odors outdoors, close windows and doors, turn off HVAC systems and air conditions that pull in outside air, and stay indoors until the odor has passed.

After the odor outside is gone, open the windows and doors to air out your home, and turn on fans or HVAC system to help ventilate indoor air.

Try to limit exposure to strong odors as much as possible.

Check on those who may be more sensitive to odors or air pollution, including older adults, children, pregnant persons, people with asthma or breathing conditions, and those with weakened immune systems.

Odors may cause or worsen:

· Headaches

· Nausea

· Eye, nose, or throat irritation

· Dizziness, or

· Breathing problems, such as asthma symptoms.

Brief exposures are not expected to cause long term health effects for most people. If symptoms are severe or do not go away, contact your medical provider.

If you don’t have a medical provider, call the Public Health – Community Health Complaint Line at (626) 430-9821.

To reduce potential exposures, people should also:

· Stay away from spilled oil and contaminated debris. Do not touch or walk through affected areas. Keep children and pets away.

· If oil gets on your skin or clothing, wash with soap and water right away and change into clean clothes.

Report odor complaints to South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD): 1-800-288-7664.

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