Doctors Urge California Residents "Leave Now...While You Can" As Gas Leak Fears Grow

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Submitted by Claire Bernish via TheAntiMedia.org,

California Governor Jerry Brown finally declared a state of emergency on Wednesday, concerning the ongoing, currently unstoppable methane gas leak spewing from Aliso Canyon that has created a nightmare for residents of Porter Ranch.

“I will tell you, this goes well beyond Porter Ranch. We’ve had complaints from as far as Chatsworth, Northridge, and Granada Hills,” emphasized Los Angeles City Councilman Mitchell Englander during a Porter Ranch town hall meeting on December 28. “Apparently this plume of toxic chemicals and whatever it might be, doesn’t know zip codes […] This is the equivalent of the BP oil spill on land, in a populated community.

Aliso Canyon sits less than two and a half miles from Porter Ranch and less than 30 miles from the city of Los Angeles — the second most populous city in the United States — whose outlying total statistical area includes nearly 18 million residents, as of 2013.

Brown has been widely criticized for lack of decisive action on the leak, which is erupting from its underground storage area with all the force “of a volcano.” Under Wednesday’s declaration, “all state agencies will utilize state personnel, equipment, and facilities to ensure a continuous and thorough state response to this incident.”

Porter Ranch residents have been evacuating the area for some time, though SoCalGas’ rather maladroit handling of the relocation procedure has been a nightmare — and the cause for a mounting number of lawsuits, including one from the L.A. city attorney’s office.

Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer filed a civil lawsuit last month concerning the massive methane leak’s impact on area residents’ health and damage to the environment — which alleged failure by SoCalGas to prevent the leak and further exacerbation of “the effects of that failure by allowing acute odor and health problems faced by the community to persist for more than a month, to say nothing about the indefinite time it will persist into the future.”

Pediatrician Dr. Richard Kang gave an ominous warning during the Porter Ranch meeting, saying, “Unfortunately, the only real way to get away from the symptoms is… you have to relocate — you have to get away from the environment.” Health complaints include severe headaches, nosebleeds, respiratory issues including increasing cases of asthma, and a number of other issues.

SoCalGas, in the meantime, stated they were “providing air filters for people’s homes,” but though “the odor added to the leaking gas can cause symptoms for some, the gas is not toxic and county health officials have said the leak does not pose a long-term health risk.

But, as the Los Angeles Daily News reported on December 25, Los Angeles County health officials said prolonged exposure to trace chemicals, some of which are known carcinogens, can cause long-term health effects.” Nevertheless, they also “cautioned that levels examined so far here are not believed to be associated with long-term health problems.”

“The gas company says, ‘This is just the smell you’re reacting to, it’s just temporary, it’s not a problem, it’s not serious’ — these people aren’t stupid,” said attorney Rex Paris. “How could somebody possibly say that? We have children whose noses are bleeding every day, we have people who suffer from chronic headaches [and] are nauseous every, single day. How does that not become a serious issue? Why are they saying something nobody here believes? […] They’re trying to convince everybody that it’s all in our heads. It’s a trick.”

In fact, as Erin Brockovich pointed out, “no one really knows the long-term side effects of benzene and radon, the carcinogens that are commonly found in natural gas.”

Additionally, area house pets seem particularly vulnerable — possibly acting the part of unwitting canaries — as veterinarian Dr. David Smith described in the town hall meeting. Noting he has seen dozens of sickened animals, Smith said, “I’ve seen dogs, cats, birds, pocket pets… the primary symptoms I’ve seen are gastrointestinal vomiting […]These are not things you should be inhaling. He added, “We have seen dermatological issues as well, some very unusual bacterial infections in dogs,” including one case in which a dog had such an infection on its face, and “the client developed almost the exact same kind of symptoms soon after that […] their physician thinks it’s related [to exposure from the gas leak] and so I tend to think these correlations are real.”

Though the declaration of emergency states “the Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources shall continue its prohibition against Southern California Gas Company injecting any gas into the Aliso Canyon Storage Facility,” it does not make that moratorium dependent on stoppage of the leak; rather, only “until a comprehensive review, utilizing independent experts […] is completed.”

Physician Dr. Brooks Michaels, addressing the town hall meeting, gave the sternest advice to those still in the area surrounding the unprecedented leak:

“If you have a chance to leave, if you’re able to leave… if you have a chance to relocate, do it now. I’m telling you, it’s really critical.”

Understandably, Brown’s state of emergency seems almost too little, too late for many.

You can watch the Porter Ranch town hall meeting here:

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Fri, 01/08/2016 - 10:14 | 7016828 eyesofpelosi
eyesofpelosi's picture

It's a gas, gas, gas...

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 10:31 | 7016841 PrimalScream
PrimalScream's picture

ZH - first of all, California is a big place.  (By the way, I live there).  Not too many people will get excited about this.  The prevailing wind directions don't usualy take that gas towards LA.  Sometimes, but not often.

I'm sure this incident has become a field day for lawyers with indulgent appetites.  You mentioned a couple of names - well known for jumping into the feeding trough of lawsuit bonanzas. I would agree that the people at Porter Ranch have got an issue.

Jerry Brown has been VERY SLOW to get on top of this problem.  It is a major environmental concern.

However - stop and think about it.  There is a very good public safety reason for why this problem was kept out of the newspapers.  Your stories are increasing the risks, not reducing them.  This problem is a "blowout", but it's a long way underground and not easy to get to.  There are good reasons why the problem was kept out of the media.

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 10:34 | 7016956 SgtMilstar
SgtMilstar's picture

Jerry Brown's sister is one the gas company board of directors.  Move along, nothing to see here said my sister.  She's also a former GS employee.

 

http://www.sempra.com/about/governance/board-of-directors.shtml

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 10:40 | 7017006 PrimalScream
PrimalScream's picture

looking at the map and thinking about wind directions ... seems like this problem would also be real for San Fernando and Sunland/Tujunga.  Someone should check medical reports from there. 

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 19:12 | 7019532 buzzkillb
buzzkillb's picture

Well this is more interesting. I run around the Rose Bowl and notice I am getting massive headaches afterwards for a day or so. I am trying to not think this is the cause, but I didn't run today and no headache.

An EPA plan was flying back and forth between JPL and the Rose Bowl for a few hours last week. And yesterday I saw a similiary colored helicopter doing the same.

For those that don't know the Rose Bowl is about 5 minutes East of Tujunga. I am about 15 miles from Downtown LA.

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 10:16 | 7016842 Byte Me
Byte Me's picture

Shurely flareing it (up O'Bollocks back passage) would be a less lose-lose "solution".

How in hell doesn't a CH4 leak not catch fire anyway..?

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 11:59 | 7017479 css1971
css1971's picture

It's only combustible in a small range of concentrations. As it mixes with air it gets too diluted to burn. So any ignitiion sources have to be within the physical distance where the concentration is high enough.

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 10:16 | 7016844 Gold Dog
Gold Dog's picture

I thought we elected libs so this kind of thing would never happen!

 

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 10:17 | 7016851 A is A
A is A's picture

Can someone explain to me why they can't just close up the leak or cut off the gas?

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 10:20 | 7016871 PrimalScream
PrimalScream's picture

its' very deep (several thousand feet) and the leak bypassed the drilling pipes that go to the underground reservoir.  This leak is coming from a vast underground reservoir that is used to store natural gas.

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 10:39 | 7017001 A is A
A is A's picture

But if it is coming from something "storing" gas obviously they got down there before to build it. Why can't they get down there now to fix it?

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 10:58 | 7017143 PrimalScream
PrimalScream's picture

they are using a giant natural reservoir under the ground.  It's very deep, around 8000 feet deep (or more) if I remember correctly.  I think its a big location of porous rock, but I don't know the exact details.  The gas company pumps processed gas down there.  That's where they store it.  They do this using a deep well - they have pipes drilled.  But the well had a blowout, and the gas is leaking around the pipes.  It's a big leak.

They do have an operation going to fix the blowout.  But the drilling takes time.  Take a look in earler articles by ZH.  There are more details about the underground reservoir. 

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 10:17 | 7016852 BeaverCream
BeaverCream's picture

Another "oops".  All this money spent on government agencies that are supposed to insure us against man made economic catastrophies and they can't stop a goddamn thing, in fact they are out there creating disasters. 

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 10:33 | 7016860 Francis Marx
Francis Marx's picture

Haha. In other countries they would just burn it off. Here they are so politically correct and legalistic it wont happen . Its like Germany right now with the criminal immigrents. Their correctness blinds them from seeing these people for what they are.

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 10:20 | 7016865 Bunga Bunga
Bunga Bunga's picture

We need moar "experts" saying: "A little bit of gas is actually good for health, it prevents breast cancer."

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 10:20 | 7016866 Coldstar
Coldstar's picture

CO2 is plant food, not polution...just set the thing on fire...

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 15:24 | 7018497 J Jason Djfmam
J Jason Djfmam's picture

Natural gas has electrolytes.

Plants crave it!

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 10:22 | 7016879 Boscovius
Boscovius's picture

Give it a few days worth of temperature inversion, let a nice thick blanket of that gas gather in the valley, let some dumbass toss a cigarette butt out his car window and "BOOM!"   We got us some real Keynesian Economic Stimulus.

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 10:30 | 7016927 panicearly
panicearly's picture

https://youtu.be/97wKS-wIH2k

Early 80s socal methane explosion under a Ross store.

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 11:07 | 7017187 Jerk_Store
Jerk_Store's picture

That was just Rosie O'Donnell in the dressing room after a chipotle lunch.

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 10:32 | 7016940 IndianaJohn
IndianaJohn's picture

Flare the thing.

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 10:35 | 7016971 HoserF16
HoserF16's picture

Between Fukushima, Methane Gas, Jerry Brown, Barb Boxer, Diane Frankenstein, Nancy (Pass it, then read it) Pelosi, sprinkle-in some Lazy/Sick Muslim illegals and Californians are REALLY FUCKED!  

Libertarians need to get-out. The rest of you Liberal Fuck-Tards can "Embrace the Suck"

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 10:37 | 7016982 Sparehead
Sparehead's picture

Forget CO2, that's a lot of cow farts.

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 15:28 | 7018521 HoserF16
HoserF16's picture

Wait for it...... (Pelosi) "Lets Tax It?"

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 10:38 | 7016990 Catullus
Catullus's picture

Where are these sick patients? Pets?

What exactly are they inhaling?

This is processed gas. If you have a gas leak in your own home, it doesn't cause these health problems.

The risk is fire.

This is complete fucking bullshit.

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 10:49 | 7017070 Pogo5187
Pogo5187's picture

Watch the video fucktard. Processed gas is colorless.  This is RAW, UNPROCESSED methane, mixed with MANY naturally-occurring toxic chemicals, and HIGHLY EXPLOSIVE. Short run,  the BEST thing they could do is, AFTER relocating all residents in the area, PURPOSELY IGNITE IT and let it burn itself out.

 

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 10:52 | 7017089 J Jason Djfmam
J Jason Djfmam's picture

Volunteers?

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 10:54 | 7017113 Catullus
Catullus's picture

What's unprocessed methane, limp dick? You mean processed gas. There's no such thing as raw methane.

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 12:52 | 7017749 falak pema
falak pema's picture

fossil fuel farts... some payback for fossil fuel worship.

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 13:33 | 7017926 Flankspeed60
Flankspeed60's picture

Seems to me all of the above name calling and insults are unnecessary. However, un-knowledgeable statements are bound to attract critics, so, know what you are talking about.

'Raw' methane simply refers to well gas before processing. 'Process gas'  has the sulphur and water removed,  its BTU content reduced to around 1000 BTU/cu.ft., and an 'odorant' is added to give it its characteristic smell. BTU reduction is the process by which propane and other high-BTU content liquids are separated out. From the video, it would (appear) to be un-processed - as processed gas is not visible.

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 15:38 | 7018572 Catullus
Catullus's picture

And that's not raw methane. No one calls it that.

This is pipeline quality gas. It has been processed. No one transports raw gas to storage like this.

And it's not visible. The above image is infrared.

This is the same gas that comes out of the burner tip.

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 18:18 | 7019355 tarabel
tarabel's picture

 

 

Or they could let it all escape. It's not an endless source but a leaking reservoir that will be about empty by the time they plug it anyhow.

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 10:41 | 7017009 Soph
Soph's picture

This one methane leak has pumped more harmful warming emmissions into the atmosphere than the entire Canadian oil sands does in a year. Based on Obama's logic, all gas pipelines should promptly be halted.

 

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 10:41 | 7017012 SmittyinLA
SmittyinLA's picture

ZH now trolling for trial lawyers, I live near this, living in Burbank or SE LA or Long beach is much much worse for your lungs.

The leak is hundreds of yards from any homes, it's a gas leak, not crude.

This is when lawyers want a BP claim orgy but dont have a BP disaster to blame it on.

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 10:42 | 7017020 PR Guy
PR Guy's picture

 

 

For all of you on this thread who are terribly upset and mentally wounded by this disaster.... let's start a class action!! Show me the moneeeeeeee!!

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 10:42 | 7017023 loveyajimbo
loveyajimbo's picture

WTF?  If it is in fact an underground reservoir that is used to store natural gas, then there must be some mechanism to take out the gas when needed... right?  So... why don't the dumb fucks just empty the storage facility of the gas, like they would if they needed it?  It is not a one way storage, is it? 

Hire Gruber, he can convince the dumb liberal CA. sheep this is all their fault.

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 10:56 | 7017129 J Jason Djfmam
J Jason Djfmam's picture

The pipe you speak of has a leak to outside of the pipe.

The gas is coming up along side the pipe.

So there is no way to stop the leak short of blocking the pipe below the leak.

Wells are being drilled to do this.

It takes a long time.

Oh and a storage tank to hold this much gas would be huge.

 

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 15:04 | 7018379 jomama
jomama's picture

Succinct, polite summary. Bravo for helping out the intellectually less fortunate members of the comments section!

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 10:43 | 7017027 Hammer of Light
Hammer of Light's picture

One spark could literally trigger a super quake, as in 9.0 to off scale trajectory north of 12.

This could potentially create a tectonic shift of such magnitude from the internal explosion that will feed to its bottom that could fracture the state in this area causing a break off from San Andreas Fault.

Any coastal cities opposite this event, holy cow man, think 400 to 600 feet and potentially higher tsunami’s rolling in, up and down the coasts of North to South America and on to Asia and Japan and even further south in the Pacific regions. If a land mass breaks off, this will absolutely happen. Super catastrophe kind of stuff! Best alert all nuclear power plants in the ring of fire to be on scram ability for a controlled shutdown so we do not have another Fukushima which is still not solved.

Crazy to think, but this is unprecedented turmoil about to go down. A lightning strike could wipe out the entire area.

Anyone still insane enough to not leave must be a libtard! Homes or not, possessions or not, if you're reading this, you need to get the frack outta that place and very far off to safe distance. I'd not go to any coastal area north or south but due east and south.

Stay away from prevailing winds as well as remove yourself from the catastrophe zone.

This is real life modern Hollywood come to life here in a very dangerous way. Methane is extremely volatile and the folks are correct, extremely carcinagenic.

A mnadatory evacuation of the entire area must be performed at once. National Guard and all resources must be focussed on this area to maximize yield of those who will survive as well as those who will not have to deal with massive long term health consequences.

I cannot believe this company built this without have stop lines with valves to shut this off in case of a pipe break. Common sense is something this country needs to get kicked in the balls hard and deep on.

PC tards and all this frackin bullsh!t must end nad those who won't let it, well they need that kick in the balls and given a fresh cup of shut the hell up!

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 10:48 | 7017063 youngman
youngman's picture

And I just sold my Condo in Denver last year...after 5 years on the market....now I missed all these California refugees coming to my state to bid up prices....pot smokers all

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 11:05 | 7017162 Hammer of Light
Hammer of Light's picture

All those f()cking libtards mass migrated to Colorado and turned the state into a blue libfest of socialist destruction.

Glad you got out. I was there for a month thinking I was going to move back and it was a fricken zoomanity that's for damn sure.

It made me sick to be in the presence of such overwhelming ignorance and PC behavior. 

I sh!tcanned the whole idea of living there again. Denver is a mess, Boulder is the "Peoples Socialist Republic of Boulder" now.

Much like the muzzy's being forced upon us all and the illegals, I did not want to be living in the Libtard version of utopia of the west which now resembles the EU from all it's leftist agenda.

Colorado USED to be a great, sane, well adjusted place to live and raise a family. Now it's a Liberal Slum of extreme cost of living, socialist PC retardedness and I'm saying not no but HELL NO would I ever go back to that tragic experience.

Glad you got out! Keep your powder dry and your eyes open mate!

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 11:12 | 7017210 jomama
jomama's picture

If only everyone could be a god-fearing red-blooded christian like yourself, all this country's problems would be solved.

 

You're a special kind of hateful, xenophobic and just plain stupid. Let me guess - VOTE TRUMP?

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 11:24 | 7017285 Polymarkos
Polymarkos's picture

YOU must be a communist propaganda troll.

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 14:56 | 7018338 jomama
jomama's picture

Yeah, someone's totally paying me to post this.

Not the sharpest people around here these days.

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 12:24 | 7017600 IridiumRebel
IridiumRebel's picture

I think we have seen clear results to godless liberal socialism. Go to Detroit, Chicago or Connecticut for a year. After getting assfucked on taxes you'll flee too. Ready for Hitlery!?!?

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 15:01 | 7018331 jomama
jomama's picture

It's not fucking liberal socialism. It's a pathetic result of bipartisan policy.

FWIW, I'm more just intruiged at how people love to blame imaginary demographics for this shit. It's no wonder it never gets fixed.

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 18:16 | 7019348 tarabel
tarabel's picture

 

 

Intruiged? Another protip?

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 19:35 | 7019623 jomama
jomama's picture

Are you really that stupid or just acting stupid?

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 20:04 | 7019776 tarabel
tarabel's picture

 

 

Me? No, I'm just intrigued. 

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 23:35 | 7020490 jomama
jomama's picture

Touche, that'll teach me to never reply when I have to mentally downshift to read the prior comment.

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