The South Coast Air Quality Management District has issued an odor advisory as the Salton Sea might stink a little worse than usual today and tomorrow.
The advisory runs all day today and runs through midnight tomorrow. From the press release:
The South Coast Air Quality Management District has issued an odor advisory today for the Coachella Valley due to elevated levels of a gas that smells like rotten eggs. That gas – hydrogen sulfide – is associated with natural processes occurring in the Salton Sea.
Earlier this morning, hourly average concentrations of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) reached 42 parts per billion downwind of the Salton Sea – at a monitor in the community of Mecca. Levels at a monitor closer to the Salton Sea are also elevated, at 52 parts per billion. While the H2S is not expected to remain over the state standard for long today and the current measurements at both sites show a decline in H2S levels, odors are likely to be present in the area at times through the day and Saturday. South and southeasterly winds are likely to occur at times today, potentially bringing H2S odors to other areas of the Coachella Valley at times.
The agency notes that the smell may cause headaches and nausea for some – however, the symptoms are temporary and do not cause any long-term health effects.
ODOR ADVISORY: #SaltonSeaPlease be aware of unpleasant odor in the area due to high hydrogen sulfide concentrations: ftp://ftp.aqmd.gov/pub/globalist/Advisory.pdf
Posted by South Coast Air Quality Management District – SCAQMD on Thursday, September 3, 2015
