Rotten-egg odor from Salton Sea prompts air quality warning [View all]

[Judi Lynn]

Rotten-egg odor from Salton Sea prompts air quality warning
By Veronica Rocha
September 17, 2014, 3:16 PM

Increased level of hydrogen sulfide in the Salton Sea this week -- marked by the tell-tale "rotten eggs" odor -- prompted officials to issue an air quality warning for the Coachella Valley..

Hourly concentration averages of hydrogen sulfide reached 106 parts per billion Monday night, far exceeding the state standard of 30 parts per billion, officials reported.

Citing the elevated levels, the South Coast Air Quality Management District issued an odor advisory Tuesday, warning residents they could experience headaches and nausea.

Officials said shifting winds could have pushed the rotten-egg odor to the community of Mecca and the Coachella Valley.

The 376-square-mile body of water has been long known for its potential to produce the odor. In 2012, air quality officials tied the odor to dead fish in the sea.

More:
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-rotten-egg-odor-salton-sea-20140917-story.html