What’s that smell? Odor advisory issued for Coachella Valley
The South Coast Air Quality Management District has issued an odor advisory that continues Tuesday for the Coachella Valley.
The advisory is due to elevated levels of hydrogen sulfide, a gas that smells like rotten eggs.
That gas is associated with natural processes occurring in the Salton Sea.
The agency said hourly average concentrations of hydrogen sulfide peaked Monday afternoon at 86 parts per billion downwind of the Salton Sea.
This is above the state standard of 30 parts per billion.
A monitoring site in Mecca also exceeded the state standard with a one hour concentration of 32 parts per billion.
People around the Coachella Valley may also experience odors Tuesday if southeasterly winds continue.
The state standard for outdoor levels of hydrogen sulfide is 30 parts per billion averaged over one hour.
The rotten egg odor can cause symptoms including headaches and nausea, or respiratory and nasal irritation.
The SQAQMD says the exposure symptoms are temporary and do not cause any long-term health effects.
SCAQMD Advisory updates can be found at: http://ftp.aqmd.gov/pub/globalist/Advisory.pdf
