Recently in my College Park East neighborhood there have been concerns of odors. In researching possible sources, I realized that perhaps some of these issues have been brought up in the past. I know some who have lived in the tract longer than I have (since 1988) and they are the ones that told me personally that these “smells” aren’t necessarily new and that they come and go.
For instance, skunks. We all can’t stand the smell when they let off their pungent scent and when there is a dead one on the road and it’s removed, the stench doesn’t go away for a long period of time, unless there is a huge rain, which removes it eventually.
After most rains, all scents in our environment are stronger. For instance, the construction on the freeway includes much dirt that is dragged from elsewhere and brought to the site and is packed down. When dirt gets wet, whatever scents are in it become more prominent as they begin to steam up in the warming sun.
Anyhow, we also have crop dusting and fertilizing of cabbage fields south of the 405 Freeway. That produces much grief to homeowners in the area because they have to literally close their doors and windows during this time. Most of that is not for long though usually. Also in recent history, there was a strong scent that came back in the fall of 2012. In researching that particular issue I found an article about it that was titled “Stench Was Likely From Ship Offshore: AQMD/.”
The ships in question offshore in Long Beach were speculated to have caused that sulphur-like-rotten egg scent and it was stated in that article that the Air Quality Management District suspects that the crude oil ships may not have been maintained correctly.
Moving on to another stench complaint is in the city of West Garden Grove, where residents experienced a “dumpster” type smell back in the beginning of the year and actually was detected in the latter part of last year. I recall at that time smelling something horrible on Lampson myself, as I drove up Lampson Avenue to Valley View each day and then on to one of my workplaces on north Valley View.
The stench was bad—equal to sitting right next to those dumpsters you see everywhere—in the shopping centers, etc. What is intriguing is that an article that dated Jan. 16, 2013 titled “Something Smells, Say Westsiders” brought concerns from nearby West Garden Grove residents that there was possibly something amiss at Joint Forces Training Base, as there was way back in recent history when there was a stench from the composting that was conducted on the base at the time.
That composting issue prompted many to call from all surrounding cities of Los Alamitos, Seal Beach, and Garden Grove, so it seems the source to call to when there again were odor issues.
Although I am still investigating into this matter of the dumpster smell/stench issue in particular, it has taught me an important thing—our area of residents, be they from Seal Beach or West Garden Grove and others—are ones that are concerned about the environment, which is a good thing.
My first gut feeling on any air issues is to contact my direct City Council person in my area, which I have in recent days. They are in connection with all the sources we don’t have and can find out if there is a project in the area that may be causing those odors.
Perhaps it could be a temporary thing that shouldn’t cause public concern, or in some cases it was announced and many weren’t aware.
In addition, I have found out that direct questions of air quality nature could also be directed to Southern California Air Quality Management District and you are welcome to call them at 800-CUT-SMOG (288-7664). This includes any air quality complaints (excessive odors, smoke, dust, or other air contaminants). In addition to this help line, you are also welcome when you click onto the AQMD website itself at http://www.aqmd.gov/Default.htm , you can take a look at the left column heading “Get Health Effects Info” and type in your email and zip code. This will prompt you to get information direct to your email and keep yourself in the loop directly from the source that investigates air issues in the first place.
Enea Ostrich is a longtime resident of Seal Beach’s College Park East.
