**Urgent Situation in Tijuana River Prompts California Legislators to Call for Emergency Declaration**
Pollutants from Mexico are causing an increase in toxic gases being released from the Tijuana River. California legislators are urging for the declaration of an emergency status at the southern border to address this issue.
A study published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Environmental Science & Technology in 2023 revealed that the levels of sewage-related bacteria in the Tijuana River have reached dangerous levels.
Federal Representatives Juan Vargas, Sara Jacobs, Mike Levin, and Scott Peters of California wrote a letter to President Biden and Governor Gavin Newsom on September 9, expressing that the situation has worsened in recent years.
The letter pointed out that new data from the research report shows “alarming levels of harmful gases from the Tijuana River,” posing a long-term risk to human health.
They stated that millions of gallons of untreated sewage, garbage, and industrial waste flow from Mexico into the Tijuana River daily, highlighting the lack of maintenance at the San Antonio de los Buenos Wastewater Treatment Facility in Mexico.
In the letter, the legislators mentioned, “Recent data clearly shows that these (toxic) fumes pose a direct and severe threat to the health and safety of residents in south San Diego, and our community needs additional support.”
They added, “Last year, researchers published new data on toxins from the Tijuana River spreading through the air, indicating a threat not only to beachgoers but also to nearby residents.”
Furthermore, the wastewater runoff has made the beaches in San Diego the most polluted in the United States, leading to closures for over 1,000 days.
Reportedly, the United States Navy had to halt some water-based training activities in the area to prevent their personnel from coming into contact with toxins.
The legislators emphasized that the new data collected this month clearly indicates an emergency situation that demands urgent action.
“Researchers studying the environmental health impacts have confirmed that levels of hydrogen sulfide and hydrogen cyanide in communities near the Tijuana River Valley have reached unhealthy levels.” Hydrogen cyanide has been used in chemical warfare, while hydrogen sulfide is a gas released from decaying eggs. Prolonged exposure to either gas can cause nausea, headaches, neurological issues, and, in extreme cases, even death.
The lawmakers called for the declaration of an emergency status to establish a multi-faceted government response to address the issue and open up additional federal funding channels.
They remarked, “A federal declaration of emergency will help south San Diego residents access the air purifiers and detection equipment they need to protect themselves from this imminent threat.”
During President Obama’s tenure, he declared a state of emergency in Flint, Michigan due to the lead water crisis. In response, the Federal Emergency Management Agency promptly provided much-needed water filters and water quality monitoring technology for residents in that area.