A new federal report says short-term spikes of hydrogen sulfide near the Tijuana River can reach levels that threaten public health. The findings support years of complaints from South Bay residents who say the sewage odor has caused headaches and other health problems. Researchers found hydrogen sulfide levels above four-thousand parts per billion near the river, with readings reaching 20-thousand parts per billion near a key source area by the Saturn Boulevard crossing. The report also says about 200 billion gallons of sewage-contaminated water have crossed the border through the river since 2018. A 2024 CDC survey found 94 percent of South Bay households noticed sewage odors, while 45 percent reported at least one health symptom. The report highlights ongoing concerns about pollution in the region and its potential effects on nearby communities. Officials have been working for years to address the cross-border sewage crisis and reduce exposure to contaminated water and harmful odors.
