Health, Odors, & Air Quality Carson Study

What is with the smell?

Health, Odors, & Air Quality Carson Study

In response to health concerns of residents in and around Carson, CA in Fall of 2021, we launched a health study to assess short and longer-term impacts of the odors and hydrogen sulfide concentrations. Adult residents (18 years or older) of the Carson area are eligible for the study and may email ejresearchlab@usc.edu for more information. Summary findings will be shared with participants and the community. See below for resources and information on hydrogen sulfide. 

H2S Survey results

results from H2S survey
results from H2S survey (spanish)

Reference Collection: Health impacts of Hydrogen Sulfide

  • Avery, R. C., Wing, S., Marshall, S. W., & Schiffman, S. S. (2004). Odor from industrial hog farming operations and mucosal immune function in neighbors. Arch Environ Health, 59(2), 101-108. https://doi.org/10.3200/aeoh.59.2.101-108 
  • Beauchamp, R. O., Jr., Bus, J. S., Popp, J. A., Boreiko, C. J., & Andjelkovich, D. A. (1984). A critical review of the literature on hydrogen sulfide toxicity. Crit Rev Toxicol, 13(1), 25-97. https://doi.org/10.3109/10408448409029321 
  • Horton, R. A., Wing, S., Marshall, S. W., & Brownley, K. A. (2009). Malodor as a trigger of stress and negative mood in neighbors of industrial hog operations. Am J Public Health, 99 Suppl 3(Suppl 3), S610-615. https://doi.org/10.2105/ajph.2008.148924 
  • Jaakkola, J. J., Vilkka, V., Marttila, O., Jäppinen, P., & Haahtela, T. (1990). The South Karelia Air Pollution Study. The effects of malodorous sulfur compounds from pulp mills on respiratory and other symptoms. Am Rev Respir Dis, 142(6 Pt 1), 1344-1350. https://doi.org/10.1164/ajrccm/142.6_Pt_1.1344 
  • Jäppinen, P., Vilkka, V., Marttila, O., & Haahtela, T. (1990). Exposure to hydrogen sulphide and respiratory function. Br J Ind Med, 47(12), 824-828. https://doi.org/10.1136/oem.47.12.824 
  • Legator, M. S., Singleton, C. R., Morris, D. L., & Philips, D. L. (2001). Health effects from chronic low-level exposure to hydrogen sulfide. Arch Environ Health, 56(2), 123-131. https://doi.org/10.1080/00039890109604063 
  • Radon, K., Schulze, A., Ehrenstein, V., van Strien, R. T., Praml, G., & Nowak, D. (2007). Environmental exposure to confined animal feeding operations and respiratory health of neighboring residents. Epidemiology, 18(3), 300-308. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.ede.0000259966.62137.84 
  • Schiffman, S. S., Studwell, C. E., Landerman, L. R., Berman, K., & Sundy, J. S. (2005). Symptomatic effects of exposure to diluted air sampled from a swine confinement atmosphere on healthy human subjects. Environ Health Perspect, 113(5), 567-576. https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.6814 
  • Schinasi, L., Horton, R. A., Guidry, V. T., Wing, S., Marshall, S. W., & Morland, K. B. (2011). Air pollution, lung function, and physical symptoms in communities near concentrated Swine feeding operations. Epidemiology, 22(2), 208-215. https://doi.org/10.1097/EDE.0b013e3182093c8b 
  • Shusterman, D. (2001). Odor-associated health complaints: competing explanatory models. Chem Senses, 26(3), 339-343. https://doi.org/10.1093/chemse/26.3.339 
  • Tajik, M., Muhammad, N., Lowman, A., Thu, K., Wing, S., & Grant, G. (2008). Impact of odor from industrial hog operations on daily living activities. New Solut, 18(2), 193-205. https://doi.org/10.2190/NS.18.2.i Wing, S., Horton, R. A., & Rose, K. M. (2013). Air pollution from industrial swine operations and blood pressure of neighboring residents. Environ Health Perspect, 121(1), 92-96. https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1205109