This Is Whats Happening to People Who Live near the Worst Gas Leak in US HistoryBy Carey Wedler Neither SoCalGas, which owns the Aliso Canyon facility, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, nor any other government agency has provided a concrete explanation for these continued symptoms. In fact, one of Los Angeles Countys top medical officials recently told local physicians to refrain from performing tests to determine what is causing the symptoms. Late last week, preliminary lab tests from an independent UCLA study found evidence of benzene, a carcinogen, in at least two Porter Ranch homes. Benzene was reported to have been released in the 100 metric tons of methane that spewed into the Los Angeles basin for four months a fact SoCalGas previously attempted to downplay and withhold. On March 4, Los Angeles City Councilmember Mitchell Englander issued a press release reporting the Department of Public Health had received at least 150 complaints of reemerging symptoms, including nosebleeds, dizziness headaches, nausea, and skin rashes. Now, the Health Department says it has received 300 complaints since residents began moving home after SoCalGas told them it was safe to do so. Many residents have said the rashes, which can be extensive, are new and did not occur during the initial, months-long gas leak from October to February. During thattime, thousands of families were evacuated and the Department of Public Health received 700 health complaints. Others reported experiencing skin irritation before they relocated, though it appears to be more widespread now. Residents who left Porter Ranch for temporary housing accommodations and recently moved home told Anti-Media about their symptoms (many still have not moved home, fearful it is still unsafe). Helen Ritenour, a Porter Ranch resident who left the area in December, said that within two days of returning to their home, she and her family began feeling sick. The main symptoms are headaches, difficulty breathing, watery eyes, coughing and general fatigue. It feels like Im in a thick fog of sorts thats oppressive, she said. She and her husband were not eager to return home, still concerned about toxins in the area and the health of their newborn baby. But amid long delays receiving reimbursements from SoCalGas and unable to charge more expenses on their credit card they moved back to Porter Ranch. Ritenour told Anti-Media that like many other families, she and her husband have had to pay out-of-pocket for relocation services and have experienced long delays receiving reimbursement checks. Gabriel Khanlian, a resident who serves as the Chief Technology Officer for Save Porter Ranch, a group formed in 2014 to fight the massive, aging, and leaking facilitybefore the blowout even happened,also said he and his family have suffered symptoms since moving home. My daughter Tatiana keeps getting large rashes, red welts and bumps all over her body. Her skin is dry and her behavior has changed significantly and she is very cranky. She has a loss of appetite and is sleeping a lot more, he said. My sons, Jayden and Mason, have been getting bloody noses, headaches, upset stomachs, burning eyes, runny nose, dry skin. He described other troubles theyve had, noting his sons are experiencing anxiety, fear, frustration, anger, and stress from not having the ability to play. Their personalities have changed majorly. He said his wife, who experienced symptoms during the initial methane gas leak, is now experiencing them more severely than before. Kyoko Habino, a Porter Ranch resident and co-founder of Save Porter Ranch, said: When I go home to pick up stuff or do a few things, within a few minutes, I start having a dull headache and coughing and having palpitations. Nosebleeds follow later on often. My partner has had headaches, fatigue, and a burning sensation in his chest at the same time I have. Our cat has had a nosebleed and vomited. When I am away from home, the headache goes away instantly. The cough and nosebleed stay for a while, and are gone after. Walter Arwood, a Porter Ranch resident, experienced nausea, among other symptoms: I am rolling over sick right now. My stomach has been so upset, I have gotten all the headaches back, my husband has had three nose bleeds in two days, and now a visiting relative was out of breath just walking up the stairs at my home. How is it safe? Arwood was evacuated during the methane gas leak and recently returned home. Since we have moved back the symptoms have immediately returned, he said. Itchy skin is the only new thing. We have all of our air purifiers on and the scrubber running and still it is happening. Residents in surrounding areas, including Chatsworth and Granada Hills, have also reported a reemergence of symptoms. Sandy Crawford, a resident of Granada Hills, told CBS News in February after the methane gas leak was sealed that within a few hours of returning home, her youngest son had trouble breathing and suffered a nosebleed. Crawford moved her sons back to their hotel, and after trying again to move home and experiencing the same results, she returned to the hotel for a second time. She told Anti-Media they recently tried sleeping at home for a few nights and did not feel symptoms, but she remains afraid they could return. As a result, she is staying at the hotel. Though these symptoms are pronounced, neither SoCalGas nor the Department of Public Health has offered a definitive explanation of what is causing them. In fact, Dr. Cyrus Rangan, Director of the Bureau of Toxicology and Environmental Assessment at the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, recently issued a Health Update to primary care, urgent care, internal medicine, and emergency medicine providers in the area cautioning them against conducting tests on patients with symptoms. The advisory, dated Tuesday, March 8, requested that healthcare professionals look for alternate etiologies other than air contamination, and avoid performing any toxicological tests, claiming these are not recommended and are unlikely to provide useful data for clinical evaluation of patients. Rangan said in the notice that if no alternative etiology is found, doctors should consult with him. While it is an indisputable act of due diligence to recommend doctors check for other potential causes of symptoms, it is unclear why a top public health official would discourage doctors from performing tests to better understand illnesses among their patients. Its not to steer the community away from thinking its not an environmental issue, Rangan insisted to the Los Angeles Daily News, adding that, as the local paper summarized, even when the gas was leaking he did not recommend that doctors perform toxicological tests because there is no test that can determine if a person was exposed to natural gas. However, residents are concerned not just with methane, but with other contaminants found in it, from mercaptans to benzene to other toxic emissions (mercaptans are odorants added to natural gas to make it detectable, and are believed to have caused symptoms when the gas leak was active). Many found Rangans explanation to be insufficient and an attempt to ask doctors to look the other way. Further, his request that doctors refrain from conducting tests appears to contradict his own supplementary declarationprovided for a hearing held last Friday to extend relocation benefits to residents, many of whom feel they were rushed out of temporary housing, evidently, before it was safe to return home. In that statement, Rangan referred to the continued illnesses as perplexing, proceeding to offer potential explanations not previously disclosed to Anti-Media when he spoke with us: It could be that there are persistent levels of contaminants still present in the community, or there could be other exposures in areas of the community that were missed in the external environmental monitoring, or perhaps gases may have saturated the soil at the Aliso Canyon facility or other substrates and are being released now that the source has been sealed. In spite of Rangans multiple hypotheses, however, he has offered no definitive explanation, nor does it appear the Department of Public Health has seriously looked for one (meaning it could be helpful for physicians to run tests on their patients). Asked to investigate a persistent oily residue coating the outside of residents homes and the playground of at least one park, representatives sent from Public Health reported they found no evidence of any oily residue and no health concern for residents or visitors. When residents complained to Councilman Englander, representatives from his office confirmed the playsets were coated in oil and SoCalGas agreed clean the park. Three other parks were also shut down amid concerns about the residue, which Rangan insists is safe, aside from causing skin irritation.Mandi Bane, a lab assistant in Rangans office, told Anti-Media they have no intentions to test the soil in the community. Because of incidents like this such as Dr. Rangan downplaying concerns about long-term side effects from mercaptans, though there is little research to support his assurances some residents increasingly doubt Public Healths commitment to helping the community. Many have complained they reported symptoms and received little more than packaged statements in response. Some received no response. Rangans office did conduct door-to-door surveys of residents two weeks ago to gather information on what could be causing the symptoms, an effort reported to be joined by state officials. Bane told Anti-Media they recorded over 200 reports and it would take time to process them before they could comment. Rangans office also requested outside assistance to conduct indoor air sampling, after it was determined that such a protocol is beyond the expertise of the Department of Public Health. Rangan first solicited the help of the EPA to conduct indoor air testing for contaminants, but it was expected to take until May to develop a protocol. Last week, however, Dr. Michael Jerrett, a professor and chairman of UCLAs Fielding School of Public Health, shared preliminary test results from a small sample of homes with Public Health. The independent study raised concerns about the presence of benzene, a known carcinogen, as well as hexane, in two homes. As a result of these findings, UCLA has partnered with Public Health and Dr. Jerrett and his team will begin sampling 120 homes in the coming days to conduct further analysis. According to a press release from the Department of Public Health posted Saturday: As a continuation of Professor Jerretts independent study, an indoor dust swab sampling was completed in seven homes. Benzene and hexane were found in two of the homes. Benzene and hexane, at certain levels, have known toxic effects on humans, but it is unknown whether the levels found are high enough to be of health concern. Professor Jerrett is sharing these findings with the community and will continue to conduct independent scientific analyses. As the Daily News explained, Jerretts results showed higher and more variable concentrations of particulate matter in the outdoor air at locations close to the leak site compared to those farther away, according to the Health Department. Particulate matter is described as tiny pieces of solids or liquids in the air, such as dust, dirt, soot, or drops which can irritate the skin, eyes, nose, throat, respiratory, and cardiovascular systems. SoCalGas, however, has failed to provide a conclusive explanation for residents illnesses. At a protest on Friday, March 4, which culminated outside the companys Community Resource Center located in Porter Ranchs main shopping center, SoCalGas spokeswoman Lisa Alexander spoke to Anti-Media about the reemergence of symptoms. She left the onus of responsibility on the Department of Public Health. You know, we recognize that people are saying that they have symptoms, and we hear that, we see the news stories, weve been in touch with Department of Public Health to inquire about that, she said, adding that Public Health expected symptoms to decrease as the blowouts emissions dissipated and with them, the mercaptans. SoCalGas, at the request of County Supervisor Michael Antonovich, agreed to conduct indoor air testing on a random sample of 70 homes in Porter Ranch last week. Residents increasing distrust of the utility was further intensified when some residents reported they had received calls from the gas company to perform indoor testing on their homes, but were asked if they had legal counsel. If they said yes, multiple residents reported, they were told they were not eligible for the random testing. Nevertheless, SoCalGas shared these test results at a relocation hearing last Friday to assert air quality had returned to normal. SoCalGas attorney James Dragna also reportedly cited the Department of Public Health as an authority on the matter. Matt Pakucko, president of Save Porter Ranch, spoke to local CBS radio station KNX shortly after the hearing: This is such propaganda by SoCalGas, he said. They used their indoor testing that they just performed over the last week as their main facts on the ground. But they have said themselves weeks ago, months ago, that the mercaptan and the methane the only things they test for would be long gone. So they went and tested what they knew would be long gone I cant believe the judge bought it. Judge Emilie H. Elias reportedly asked, Is there one house that has been tested that shows a harmful level at this time? However, Dr. Jerretts results, which showed two homes with potentially hazardous levels of benzene, were not presented. Jerretts preliminary findings were shared with the county just before the hearing, and county attorney Deborah Fox expressed a desire to submit them to the court for an appeal this week. Though the media reported the judges ruling as a tepid victory for residents, who will receive one more week of paid relocation services, county attorney Deborah Fox had originally sought two months. She then sought a 30-day injunction, ultimately settling for a single week extension. Pakucko said of the ruling: Any sane person would say [the testing should be complete before a decision is made] there are people reporting health issues, the cause of which has not yet been discovered. Save Porter Ranch and much of the community arecampaigning to have the entire, 3,600-acre Aliso Canyon facility shut down. SoCalGas had previously been ordered to extend relocation services as residents began reporting symptoms again after the gas leak, a decision the company fought. Residents have also complained they have not yet been reimbursed for the months they were relocated, citing long waits, convoluted customer service, and financial strain caused by SoCalGas reimbursement process. On Tuesday, County Supervisor Michael Antonovich announced the court had suspended its Friday ruling, presumably in light of the countys submission of Jerretts results. Los Angeles Times reporter, Abby Sewell, tweeted an update that residents now have until March 29 an extra four days pending further legal proceedings. As the legal battle continues, the difficulties of obtaining comprehensive, reliable air tests remain complicated by the fact that humans can smell mercaptans at lower levels than equipment can detect them. Pakucko told Anti-Media residents have consistently been reporting the smell of mercaptans, though SoCalGas spokeswoman Melissa Bailey assured Anti-Media via email there were no current leaks. Neither SoCalGas nor the regulatory South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCQAMD) offered an explanation to Anti-Media regarding elevationsin methane emissions since the gas leak was sealed. They are not consistently high, but nevertheless contradict assurances from the gas company that air quality has returned to normal. For example, from March 17 to March 22, methane levels in the community exceeded 3 ppm (parts per million); SCAQMD, itself, says Results greater than 3 ppm suggest some additional sources of methane. A March 13 sampling of air at the site of the repaired well, SS-25, found methane levels at 46 ppm; according to SCAQMD, results greater than 10 ppm suggest a considerable additional amount of methane is present. Though SCAQMD cautions the levels of methane have been dropping since the methane gas leak was sealed in February, 46 ppm is still 43 ppm above normal. Further, a recently published government survey, initiated after the Aliso Canyon blowout, found 229 leaks in natural gas storage fields across California. Though the leaks were deemed minor, 66 were found at Aliso Canyon. As Porter Ranch residents continue to deal with the fallout from the months-long environmentaldisaster, communities around the country face similar battles. From the increasing number of communities plagued with unsafe levels of lead (among other chemicals) in their water and soil, to the radioactive leaks in New York,Florida, and elsewhere across the country, Americans face an increasingly apparent, non-partisan struggle against aging, dangerous infrastructure and the apathetic, often negligent authorities and corporate hegemons responsible for maintaining it. In Porter Ranch, SoCalGas and public officials have, at least, begun to acknowledge something is still amiss in the community. As Pakucko told Anti-Media: Theyve stopped saying everythings fine. Ive got two words for everythings fine: Flint, Michigan. Editors Note: Carey Wedler is from Granada Hills and has two family members whose health was affected by the leak, one severely (his symptoms have intermittently returned in the last several weeks). She has experienced symptoms herself and felt them recently while reporting in Porter Ranch. This article (This Is Whats Happening to People Who Live near Worst Gas Leak in US History) is free and open source. You have permission to republish this article under aCreative Commons license with attribution toCarey Wedler and theAntiMedia.org. Anti-Media Radio airs weeknights at 11 pm Eastern/8 pm Pacific. If you spot a typo, please email the error and name of the article atedits@theantimedia.org. Its becoming a common story: public agencies serving as the handmaidens of private interests in covering up and stonewalling against violations of public trust. EPA, CDC the Justice Department you name it have essentially become Mafia enforcers for corporations. Crony Capitalism is a gross euphemism for these people. Accessory to Murder is more apt. The evil government doesnt care because they have planned for Americans to die in WW3! The entire government are evil treasonous criminals. The day of the next false flag using the nuke they stole in 2007 and blamed on Iran, America will be destroyed by Russia, China and the SCO. This is the war of Armageddon and you can know it is now because of Planet X and the toxic chemtrails that hide it every day. Planet X will end the war when it rips the earth apart again but 90% of Americans will be dead already. All planned by your evil government. Im thinking the gas found another way out, and/or the whole area is so saturated with toxic chemicals its likely a generations long no go zone. A$$holes. And that notice to doctors to NOT test for toxins? Are you frikkin kidding? Thats so in your face blatant, the comment by L. Ambrose nails it- govt agencies are the mafia enforcers for corporations. Their lawyers. Their PR firms. Their personal prostitutes. The list goes on. Has that area ever been subject to fracking technologies? Maybe its percolating up through the aquifer and top strata. People dont realize that petroleum products have been leaking to the Earths surface from the beginning of civilization. Remember the tar pits from our History classes. Pits of petroleum (raw oil and mixtures of all sorts of gasses) oozing to the Earths surface. once we started extracting oil from the ground the pits stopped oozing oil. But the raw gasses are still being emitted. And they are not necessary coming from drilled wells and tar pits. Methane (C-H4), ethane (C2-H6), butane, pentane, H2-S (Hydrogen Sulfide, an extremely poisonous gas) and other gasses are being emitted from anywhere the bed rock and porous strata will allow it. The sooner the high pressure formations are emptied under control, the better for our air standards and every ones health. By burning these toxic gasses, most will be reduced to CO2 and water with small amounts of S-O2, N-O2 and other less toxic gasses. The toxic gasses are readily flammable. Also, modern day land fills emit such gasses as do swamps and bogs. Any where there are decomposing organic materials, there will be simple gasses emitted. People dont realize that petroleum products have been leaking to the Earths surface from the beginning of civilization. True but people were not capturing the natural gas adding mercury and other contaminants and storing it in domes containing god knows what? Our Representatives represent no one but themselves, our protective agencies protect only themselves. I have on two separate occasions experienced military aircraft drop fibers while flying above. These fibers were tested both times and are highly positive for aluminum, barium, and strontium after testing my blood, it is also highly positive. EPA basically made a joke of my story and Arizona State representative refused to help. This is a corrupt government and we can not rely on them to assist us with anything. We pay our taxes and that money is used against us. Time to stand up and fight for ourselves. LIDAR units are used by the police at roadblocks to determine if motorists have been using certain substances; so I would think there are certain devices that can analyze the presence of elements and chemical compounds as a Geiger Counter would reveal the presence of radiation. It is also possible that chemicals released could be interacting with other common household materials; like plastics, paints, fabrics, home siding etc., producing new dangers that would be hard to identify. It sounds that stalling tactics are being used as the the corporate rule would be to wait it out in the hopes that the people would die off or become so impaired as to not be able to make competent decisions in order to protect themselves. My exposure to home fuel oil led to bladder cancer which I have had for several years and have recently cured by various alternative health regimens including acupuncture, herbs, vegan diet and most effective method known as Spectro-Chrome Metry. The citizens should dump and sue their government officials to keep the pressure on them for mismanagement of the situation; in Pennsylvania citizens can use writs of mandamus on public officials who do not do their jobs properly also do not sign anything that releases SoCal from their liability in the exposure. Residents need to run up bills and keep receipts for everything as this creates the physical basis for litigation which needs to pursued. Im sure the EPA has better things to do like destroying the Animas river in Colorado. They didnt contain diddly and are lying about this. Those are very old underground tanks that are still leaking. Dont ever go back if you value your life or your family. Everyone needs to ban together and sue the crap out of them!!! 