At least six fumigation facilities in southeast Los Angeles County are using methyl bromide, a toxic pesticide, without adequate health risk analysis by air quality regulators. Residents of West Long Beach have expressed anger since January when they discovered potentially dangerous levels of methyl bromide near an elementary school, five years after air quality officials first detected the fumes.
During a recent virtual community meeting, the South Coast Air Quality Management District disclosed that four additional facilities in Compton and San Pedro are using the chemical in larger volumes than those in West Long Beach. Despite homes being located near these facilities, air quality officials have no plans to monitor the air in these areas. Methyl bromide is classified as a reproductive toxicant and can cause serious health issues, including neurological effects with prolonged exposure.
Theral Golden, a West Long Beach resident, expressed concern, stating, “We should be in crisis mode.” Methyl bromide is used to eliminate pests on imported produce, although its use was banned internationally for most applications in 1987.
The two West Long Beach facilities, AG Fume Service and San Pedro Forklift, are located near homes and Elizabeth Hudson Elementary School. Despite cooperation from some facility operators, such as Daniel McCarrel of AG Fume, community advocates are urging for more air monitoring and health risk analysis.
In 2024, the California Air Resources Board detected methyl bromide spikes as high as 983 parts per billion in West Long Beach, with average concentrations of 2.1 parts per billion, posing significant health risks. The air district did not notify school officials about elevated levels until January, despite having detected them earlier.
The Los Angeles County Agricultural Commissioner, responsible for permitting methyl bromide, imposed new conditions on West Long Beach facilities in 2024 to reduce exposure, but similar controls are not in place for Compton and San Pedro facilities. Community advocates continue to push for more comprehensive monitoring and analysis of health risks associated with methyl bromide exposure over the past 30 years.
Recent Comments