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Spanish Pollution from Chiquita Canyon and Sunshine Canyon landfills can hurt public health. A release from County of Los Angeles Public Health citing a report by the environmental consulting firm Roux Associates warns of several health effects that may result from the odors at Chiquita Canyon:
- Headache
- Eye, nose, and throat irritation
- Sore throat and hoarseness
- Nasal congestion
- Cough
- Chest tightness
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
- Heart palpitations
- Nausea
- Drowsiness
- Mental depression
“These health effects are not permanent and do not lead to long-term disease,” the County says in its release, noting that they could make existing health conditions worse. Many residents in the area of the Chiquita Canyon landfill took exception with the Roux report, however, stating that it does not reflect their experience of living near the landfill.
Meanwhile, some residents are taking legal action. If you or a loved one have been affected by exposure to landfill pollution, you may be eligible to file a landfill pollution lawsuit.
Health Risks of the Landfill Odors
The landfills are releasing hazardous chemicals that have been associated with adverse health effects. According to LA County release, the Chiquita Canyon landfill released benzene and carbon tetrachloride. The landfills are also releasing methane and hydrogen sulfide.
Aside from the nuisance of living with the odors, residents have complained of health effects that include headache, eye irritation, fatigue, and more.
The Roux Associates report noted a small amount of benzene added to the air in the area of the Chiquita Canyon landfill, and said the levels of benzene and carbon tetrachloride were similar to those throughout the rest of the county.
Many residents, though, feel the report downplays the health effects the community has experienced. Many also expressed concern over discrepancies between the Roux data and other air quality reports from the area that showed larger spikes of benzene. Some pointed to irregularities in the Roux data, too, including that three of the canisters used to collect air samples were stolen during the collection period.
If you’re experiencing adverse health effects, see a doctor. The lawyers at KJT Law Group are available to discuss taking legal action if you’ve been affected by exposure to the odors coming from the landfills.
Thousands of Complaints and Violations About the Landfills
People have been complaining about the odor from the Sunshine Canyon Landfill for years, and complaints have again recently spiked. The operator of the Sunshine Valley Landfill, Browning-Ferris Industries of California, has received 1,500 odor complaints in 2023 and about 60 air district violations.
The operator of Chiquita Canyon Landfill received “44 Notices of Violation between May 17, 2023 and Aug. 16, 2023, for violating Southern California Air Quality Management District Rule 402 and California Health & Safety Code Section 41700 in relation to nuisance odors that are emanating from the landfill,” according to a notice on Chiquita Canyon LLC’s site via the Santa Clarita Valley Signal.
What Are the Landfill Pollution Lawsuits Alleging?
The landfill pollution lawsuit is alleging negligence by the operators of these landfills. The lawsuit claims the operators allowed the chemical reactions causing this pollution to go unchecked and spiral out of control.
The landfill pollution is a public nuisance and has led to adverse health effects for those in the surrounding areas as the toxic fumes entered homes and made it impossible for children to play outside.
If you live in or near Castaic, Granada Hills, Northridge, Porter Ranch, Santa Clarita, Sylmar, or Valencia, you may be eligible to join the lawsuit. What you can recover depends on the effects of the toxic air on you and your family. However, damages in pollution cases may include:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Inconvenience
- Pain and suffering
Our Team Can Help You File a Landfill Pollution Lawsuit
Landfill operators have a responsibility to prevent air pollution from their properties. If you or a family member suffered ill effects due to toxic air from a nearby landfill, you deserve compensation. The KJT Law Group can help you fight for it.
Call us today to learn more about how the environmental litigation could affect you during a free consultation: (818) 507-8525.
