Health, Odors, and Air Quality Carson Study

What’s with the smell?

In response to health concerns of residents in and around Carson, CA in Fall of 2021, we launched a health study to assess short and longer-term impacts of the odors and hydrogen sulfide concentrations. Adult residents (18 years or older) of the Carson area are eligible for the study and may email ejresearchlab@usc.edu or call 323-647-7564 for more information. Summary findings will be shared with participants and the community. See below for resources and information on hydrogen sulfide. 


Research Findings

Health Symptoms in the Aftermath of a Hydrogen Sulfide Emergency in Carson, California

Respiratory and Nervous System Effects of a Hydrogen Sulfide Crisis in Carson, California


Resources: Reporting

Click here to submit an odor complaint to South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD)

Haga clic aquí para enviar una queja por olores al Distrito de Gestión de la Calidad del Aire de la Costa Sur (AQMD)

South Coast AQMD Community Air Monitoring Page (Check current air pollutant levels here)

South Coast AQMD Community Air Monitoring Page (Compruebe aquí los niveles actuales de contaminantes atmosféricos)


Resources: Odor Event 


Resources: Hydrogen Sulfide 

Hydrogen Sulfide by EH
Hydrogen Sulfide SPANISH by EH

Study Investigators and Staff Members


Reference Collection: Health impacts of Hydrogen Sulfide 

Avery, R. C., Wing, S., Marshall, S. W., & Schiffman, S. S. (2004). Odor from industrial hog farming operations and mucosal immune function in neighbors. Arch Environ Health, 59(2), 101-108. https://doi.org/10.3200/aeoh.59.2.101-108 

Beauchamp, R. O., Jr., Bus, J. S., Popp, J. A., Boreiko, C. J., & Andjelkovich, D. A. (1984). A critical review of the literature on hydrogen sulfide toxicity. Crit Rev Toxicol, 13(1), 25-97. https://doi.org/10.3109/10408448409029321 

Horton, R. A., Wing, S., Marshall, S. W., & Brownley, K. A. (2009). Malodor as a trigger of stress and negative mood in neighbors of industrial hog operations. Am J Public Health, 99 Suppl 3(Suppl 3), S610-615. https://doi.org/10.2105/ajph.2008.148924 

Jaakkola, J. J., Vilkka, V., Marttila, O., Jäppinen, P., & Haahtela, T. (1990). The South Karelia Air Pollution Study. The effects of malodorous sulfur compounds from pulp mills on respiratory and other symptoms. Am Rev Respir Dis, 142(6 Pt 1), 1344-1350. https://doi.org/10.1164/ajrccm/142.6_Pt_1.1344 

Jäppinen, P., Vilkka, V., Marttila, O., & Haahtela, T. (1990). Exposure to hydrogen sulphide and respiratory function. Br J Ind Med, 47(12), 824-828. https://doi.org/10.1136/oem.47.12.824 

Legator, M. S., Singleton, C. R., Morris, D. L., & Philips, D. L. (2001). Health effects from chronic low-level exposure to hydrogen sulfide. Arch Environ Health, 56(2), 123-131. https://doi.org/10.1080/00039890109604063 

Radon, K., Schulze, A., Ehrenstein, V., van Strien, R. T., Praml, G., & Nowak, D. (2007). Environmental exposure to confined animal feeding operations and respiratory health of neighboring residents. Epidemiology, 18(3), 300-308. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.ede.0000259966.62137.84 

Schiffman, S. S., Studwell, C. E., Landerman, L. R., Berman, K., & Sundy, J. S. (2005). Symptomatic effects of exposure to diluted air sampled from a swine confinement atmosphere on healthy human subjects. Environ Health Perspect, 113(5), 567-576. https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.6814 

Schinasi, L., Horton, R. A., Guidry, V. T., Wing, S., Marshall, S. W., & Morland, K. B. (2011). Air pollution, lung function, and physical symptoms in communities near concentrated Swine feeding operations. Epidemiology, 22(2), 208-215. https://doi.org/10.1097/EDE.0b013e3182093c8b 

Shusterman, D. (2001). Odor-associated health complaints: competing explanatory models. Chem Senses, 26(3), 339-343. https://doi.org/10.1093/chemse/26.3.339 

Tajik, M., Muhammad, N., Lowman, A., Thu, K., Wing, S., & Grant, G. (2008). Impact of odor from industrial hog operations on daily living activities. New Solut, 18(2), 193-205. https://doi.org/10.2190/NS.18.2.i 

Wing, S., Horton, R. A., & Rose, K. M. (2013). Air pollution from industrial swine operations and blood pressure of neighboring residents. Environ Health Perspect, 121(1), 92-96. https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1205109