Porter Ranch homes to be tested for gas-leak chemicals that may linger indoors

Los Angeles County health officials will begin air tests inside more than 120 Porter Ranch homes, to look for residual chemicals as a result of the massive natural gas leak that spewed methane into neighborhoods for almost four months.

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“We will be looking at a variety of chemicals in the indoor environment,” said Angelo Bellomo, deputy director for health protection at the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. “We will be examining both the gaseous and potentially vapor based chemicals as well as fine particulate matter in the homes.”

Bellomo said the health department is working with the US Environmental Protection Agency and professor Michael Jerrett, chair of environmental health sciences at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health. Jerrett began collecting outdoor air quality samples throughout the Porter Ranch community early on during the gas leak, including indoor dust swab sampling at seven homes.

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“Benzene and hexane were found in two of the homes,” according to a statement from the health department.“Benzene and hexane, at certain levels, have known toxic effects on humans, but it is unknown whether the levels found are high enough to be of health conce. “

Jerrett’s preliminary analysis of outdoor air near the gas leak showed “higher and more variable concentrations of particulate matter in the outdoor air at locations close to the leak site” compared to those farther away, according to the health department. Particulate matter is described as tiny pieces of solids or liquids in the air, such as dust, dirt, soot, or drops which can irritate the skin, eyes, nose, throat, respiratory, and cardiovascular systems.

Bellomo said health officials will use standard air collection sampling techniques but in addition also do swipe sampling to pick up fine particulate matter on surfaces.

Health officials are expected to discuss more during a press conference Wednesday.

Natural gas began leaking from one of 115 aged wells at the Aliso Canyon storage field in October. Operated by SoCalGas, the wells and the storage facility sit high up in Aliso Canyon, above residents who live in Porter Ranch. There were reports of headaches, nosebleeds and vomiting while the leaking occurred and at least 6,000 residents relocated. But after the leak was controlled on Feb. 11 and capped on Feb. 18, health complaints continued from residents who moved back.

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Over seven days, from March 14 to Saturday, there were 101 calls and e-mails to the Los Angeles County Health Department, from residents who complained of headaches, stomach problems, and nosebleeds among other issues.

A total of 180 households have reported symptoms between Feb. 18 and March 19, according to data from the health department.

Health officials also conducted door-to-door surveys of 210 people in Porter Ranch earlier this month. Their responses are still being analyzed, Bellomo said.