Occupational Exposure and Health Symptoms Related to the Tijuana River Valley Sewage Crisis – Results from an Assessment of Chemical Exposures, California, 2024
OBJECTIVE: Describe health outcomes among workers affected by the Tijuana River Valley (TRV) sewage crisis. METHODS: In October-November 2024, a cross-sectional online survey was administered to individuals who worked in areas affected by the TRV sewage crisis as part of an Assessment of Chemical Exposures. RESULTS: Among 443 workers, 110 (25%) reported direct contact with contaminated Tijuana River or beach water. 55% of workers reported exposure to severe odor. Nearly two-thirds experienced physical symptoms attributed to the crisis, and one-third missed work due to symptoms. Direct water contact was linked to higher prevalence of physical and mental health symptoms and absenteeism. Those reporting work-related direct water contact were largely outdoor workers. CONCLUSIONS: TRV workers have experienced health impacts due to the ongoing sewage crisis. Findings may help inform public health response and resource needs.
Authors
- Mark E. Beatty
- Fhallon Ware‐Gilmore (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8027-8026)
- Jelonia Tasha Rumph (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2082-6355)
- Valerie Madera-García (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3596-7161)
- Andrea Danielle Brown (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1034-6035)
- Stacey Konkle (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5192-7269)
- Dallas S. Shi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8088-6427)
- Brooke S. Staley (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1502-602X)
- Nadia Saif (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5024-0676)
- Dajuandra Eugene
- Marisol Valenzuela-Lara (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4968-0492)
- Seema Shah (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3050-1979)
- Fuyuen Yip
- Audrey E. Kennar (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-7148-9773)
Institutions
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (US)
- Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (US)
- Puerto Rico Department of Health (PR)
- National Center for Environmental Health (US)
- National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (US)
- National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (US)
- National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (US)
- United States Public Health Service Commissioned Officers Association (US)
- Epidemic Intelligence Service (US)
- Health and Human Services Agency (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
- Published
- 2026-06-30
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1097/jom.0000000000003813
- Primary Topic
- Air Quality and Health Impacts
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00