A federal survey asking San Diegan who live, work or play around the Tijuana River Valley and South San Diego County closed with more than 2,150 responses received, exceeding the goal of 2,000 participants.
The Assessment of Chemical Exposures (ACE) survey covered how the pollution impacted people’s lives. Results will be compiled by the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry and shared in the coming months.
The information collected within the surveys includes anecdotal stories about changes to everyday life, along with to physical and mental health, and will be used to determine what steps can be taken to address the sewage crisis with local, state and federal partners.
The County?opened the ACE survey?on Oct. 21 in partnership with the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry which is a federal public health agency within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).?It followed the CDC’s?Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response or CASPER, a household survey focused on the Imperial Beach and Nestor communities that took place the weekend of Oct. 17.
To generate interest in the survey, County teams did outreach at community events, through social media and newsletters, and with its partners in schools, businesses, health centers and community organizations.
More information about the Tijuana River Valley sewage crisis is available on the County website, health information surround odors and water contamination and a report that shows recent trends of gastrointestinal illness and asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease symptoms?in the South San Diego area.
Mental health resources are available for anyone feeling emotionally affected by the Tijuana River Valley sewage crisis through the San Diego Access Crisis Line by calling 1-888-724-7240 or 988.
Reprinted courtesy San Diego County Office of Communications.
