Rotten Egg Smell, High Hydrogen Sulfide Levels Near The Salton Sea

SOUTH COAST AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT DISTRICT

Odor Alert due to Elevated Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) Levels

Near Salton Sea

The South Coast Air Quality Management District detected Hydrogen Sulfide levels above the state standard in the Coachella Valley. Hydrogen Sulfide smells like rotten eggs and is associated with natural processes occurring in the Salton Sea.

The state standard for outdoor levels of hydrogen sulfide is 30 parts per billion averaged over one hour. At that level, most individuals can smell the odor and some may experience symptoms such as headaches and nausea. However, the symptoms associated with this level of exposure are temporary and do not cause any long-term health effects. Humans can detect hydrogen sulfide odors at extremely low concentrations, down to a few parts per billion.

South Coast AQMD monitors hydrogen sulfide at three locations in the southeastern Coachella Valley – one very close to the Salton Sea, one in the community of Mecca and the other in Indio. There is increased potential for Salton Sea odors to occur as the winds shift, especially in the summer months in the early morning and late afternoon, or as thunderstorms occur over the southwestern U.S. deserts.

More information on Hydrogen Sulfide can be found at the following link:

http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxguides/toxguide-114.pdf

South Coast AQMD is the regulatory agency responsible for improving air quality for large areas of Los Angeles, Orange County, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, including the Coachella Valley.

South Coast AQMD Advisory updates can be found at the following link: http://www.aqmd.gov/advisory

Real-time concentrations and recent measurement trends are available at saltonseaodor.org. For more information, email [email protected], call 1-800-CUT-SMOG, or visit South Coast Air Quality Management District.