UPDATE: The Chiquita Canyon Landfill task force confirmed lingering health concerns for Castaic and Val Verde residents during a critical meeting on October 14, 2023. State officials acknowledged ongoing health issues linked to the landfill, but emphasized that further studies are required despite years of resident complaints.
During the meeting, Todd Sax, chief of the California Air Resources Board’s enforcement division, revealed that the task force has yet to determine the root causes of reported health problems. Residents have voiced alarming symptoms, including headaches, bloody noses, and tremors, which Sax attributed to “odorous compounds” released from the landfill. “These odors can cause serious irritation,” he stated. “When odors go away, people feel better; when they return, symptoms worsen.”
Residents have raised concerns about potential cancer clusters, yet Sax did not address these claims directly. His remarks come as Los Angeles County and thousands of residents initiate lawsuits against Chiquita Canyon Landfill and its parent company, Waste Connections. The county alleges that the landfill’s issues are worsening, contradicting the landfill’s claims of improvement.
Furthermore, the landfill continues to produce approximately 200,000 gallons of leachate daily, raising alarms among local residents about the environmental impact. Sax noted that the area affected by the landfill’s “underground elevated temperature event” appears to be expanding, potentially doubling in size.
Despite these alarming revelations, Sax acknowledged the task force’s limitations in identifying specific pollutants. He mentioned ongoing monitoring for various compounds, including carcinogenic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), but admitted that a comprehensive understanding of health risks remains elusive. “We think we’re monitoring for the right things,” he asserted, “but we don’t have all the answers.”
Community members pressed for a definitive health survey, which has yet to materialize. Sax mentioned efforts to conduct a Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) study but did not provide details on its findings or next steps.
Legal proceedings are also ongoing, with Los Angeles County representative Stephanie English updating residents on the court’s actions. The judge has requested both parties reach an agreement within 30 days concerning the relocation of residents from 900 homes affected by the landfill. However, the landfill has appealed the judge’s ruling, complicating the timeline for residents seeking relief.
As the situation develops, the urgency for concrete answers and solutions grows. Residents remain anxious over both their health and the potential long-term effects of exposure to landfill emissions. Authorities aim to limit exposure while continuing to investigate the underlying issues.
Residents are urged to stay informed as the task force continues its work, and legal battles unfold. The future of the community hangs in the balance as they await clarity on health concerns linked to the Chiquita Canyon Landfill.
