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)
South Coast AQMD Community Air Monitoring Page (Check current air pollutant levels here)
Resources: Odor Event
- South Coast Air Quality Management District: Dominguez Channel Odor Event and Notices of Violation
- Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management: Dominquez Channel Odor Event
- LA County Department of Public Health: November 2021 Community Notice
Resources: Hydrogen Sulfide
- South Coast Air Quality Management District: Air Monitoring data
- ATSDR: Hydrogen Sulfide H2S – CAS 7783-060-4:UN 1053
- ATSDR: Toxicological Profile For Hydrogen Sulfide and Carbonyl Sulfide
- OSHA: Hydrogen Sulfide: Overview and Fact Sheet
- Hydrogen Sulfide and Health Infographic by USC EJ Research Lab
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