The CDC has initiated a pivotal health assessment in San Diego’s South County, addressing the ongoing sewage pollution crisis in the Tijuana River Valley.
At a Glance
- Residents are urged to report health problems linked to sewage pollution.
- CDC’s CASPER study will involve 6,000 households.
- The study is expected to inform public health actions and resource allocation.
- The federal response to the crisis has been critiqued as inadequate.
CDC Health Assessment Initiation
The CDC has launched an extensive health assessment to tackle sewage pollution impacts in the Tijuana River Valley. This initiative focuses on San Diego’s South County residents, urging them to share their experiences with sewage pollution in the area. Supervisor Nora Vargas spearheaded this effort, emphasizing the need to document the effects on residents’ health and property. This survey seeks to include 6,000 households, prioritizing detailed interviews with 210 homes to gather comprehensive data.
Volunteers are distributing flyers as part of the CDC’s Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER), communicating in both Spanish and English. Despite the efforts, frustration remains over the lack of federal action addressing cross-border sewage issues, causing persistent health and environmental concerns in the region.
The health assessment is intended to gather information about the needs arising due to concerns about toxic air pollution in the South Bay stemming from sewage overflow in the Tijuana River Valley. https://t.co/SzRyidSKoY
— NBC 7 San Diego (@nbcsandiego) October 4, 2024
Health and Environmental Concerns
The CASPER study aims to collect information on health issues arising from sewage overflow, air quality concerns, and exposure to toxic air pollution. More than 200 households will be interviewed by the CDC. Since the investigation began, no substantial increase in gastrointestinal illnesses has been reported, though tests have indicated high levels of hydrogen sulfide and hydrogen cyanide in the air.
An emergency was declared in May 2024, yet residents continue to report cases of unexplained illnesses, primarily gastrointestinal and respiratory. The pollution has resulted in over 1,000 days of beach closures, highlighting the urgency of this study and its outcomes for policy development.
Future Impact and Community Involvement
The CDC’s survey, conducted with assistance from San Diego State University student volunteers, will run from October 17-19, 2024. Through this initiative, the CDC hopes to establish clear data to inform public health officials on necessary actions and guide the allocation of resources to address the crisis. Community leaders are advocating for this assessment to drive significant improvements at the state and federal levels.
“This is our chance to be able to communicate [pollution concerns] on a national level,” Shah added.
As the community collaborates in this study, residents and leaders alike strive for policy enhancements to manage and mitigate sewage impacts effectively, emphasizing the need for concerted federal intervention in this longstanding environmental challenge.
