Published in Medium.com on April 3, 2018
That’s one of the questions asked by Dr. Jeffrey Nordella at the March 29 Aliso Canyon health town hall. A question that many of the 300 residents in that room answered with a resounding “no”?
Before the doctor spoke, a representatives from the South Coast Air Quality Management District updated the audience as to the status for the $1-million “study” that the agency had agreed to with SoCalGas, despite a health panel of experts who had determined a true study should cost at least $40 million. Next, a representative from the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power discussed testing DWP water supply that was done as a result of a report of high levels of lithium in the Nordella study, but contended the there isn’t a problem (a point that Dr. Nordella will disagree with during his presentation).
Dr. Nordella explained he started his study of patients two years ago after many were presenting with unusual symptoms at his urgent care facility following the start of the gas blowout in October 2015. Some residents in the communities of Porter Ranch, Chatsworth, Granada Hills, and Northridge asked about being part of his study or otherwise getting toxicology tests that their own doctors were reluctant to order. He found an out-of-state lab (to avoid any conflicts of interest) that was willing to conduct toxicology tests, and 106 submitted urine samples and 103 submitted hair samples.
The toxicology experts at the lab flagged the results as significant. Among the results were high levels in toxic elements such as uranium and above average levels of lithium, strontium, and other essential elements. Many of the chemicals found could cause cancer and other health problems. For example, Uranium 358 could be toxic to organs such as the kidneys, brain, liver, and heart if there’s internal exposure.
Much of the PowerPoint presentation at last week’s town hall followed the one he gave in October 2017, which can be found on the Save Porter Ranch website at http://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/3d1481_e78b110e4a49487a9f1b100fd77503c6.pdf.
Among the points made at the town hall is that there is a missing puzzle piece: what chemicals were used at the SoCalGas site. LA County Public Health officials had requested this info from the gas company back in 2016, without response from the gas company. In addition, SoCalGas continues to state in every notification sent out concerning leaks and spills that these do “not present a health or safety risk to the community.” This assertion in in contradiction with what Public Health has stated, given the mystery chemicals that SoCalGas has continued to refuse to reveal it has used.
Residents who would like to join the fight into closing down the gas storage facility are invited to attend the upcoming Save Porter Ranch meeting on Wednesday, April 4.