In 1978, after decades of mysterious sicknesses affecting the 1,000 families who lived in Love Canal, a community in Niagara Falls, N.Y., authorities determined the cause was massive toxic waste in sludge that had leaked from a nearby landfill. Dr. David Axelrod — the leader of the state investigation that uncovered the cause of the health crisis — was horrified at all the warning signs that authorities had ignored for years. He later called it “a national symbol of a failure to exercise a sense of concern for future generations.”
It’s time to see our South Bay’s sewage crisis as Love Canal West. State and federal authorities’ refusal to declare our nightmare a health emergency demanding immediate, comprehensive action is incomprehensible. It will be stunning for future generations to look back at all the warning signs that were obvious in real time — only starting with all the surfers, swimmers, Navy SEALS and border agents who got sick after exposure to more than 100 billion gallons of sewage and toxic effluent released into the Pacific because of broken sewage infrastructure in Tijuana.
This big picture is essential to when reacting to better-late-than-never steps being taken by authorities. The latest is San Diego County’s official request this week to state and federal public health agencies to investigate the effects of this cross-border pollution. Nora Vargas, chair of the county Board of Supervisors, spelled out her expectations in a letter to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: “Specifically, I urge the CDC to examine the prevalence of contaminants in the air, water and soil of these communities and their connection to community-reported increases in gastrointestinal issues and other symptoms.”
In theory, based on guidelines on the CDC’s website, this should lead to an immediate response — within one to three weeks. In reality, who knows what to expect? The fact that San Diegans have been getting sick for years — that some local shorelines have been entirely closed for 900 straight days — hasn’t seemed to matter to Gov. Gavin Newsom or President Joe Biden, whose slow-motion responses ensure the crisis will continue for several years to come. Nor has the fact that this follows an ugly historical pattern of pollution being accepted by authorities far more in less affluent, less White communities. Does anyone think our leaders would shrug if this crisis was centered in La Jolla?
If only there were a Dr. Axelrod in the CDC or the California Department of Public Health who stepped up and demanded ability from his bosses. What can’t be emphasized enough is that fixing broken sewage facilities doesn’t require technological breakthroughs. It requires money, focus and competence. Shame on Newsom and Biden.
