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People who work and live near the polluted Tijuana River Valley and area beaches will have an opportunity to share their experiences with federal agencies that monitor the health of the region.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) conducts the Chemical Exposure Assessment (ACE) study. The new study follows the CDC’s Public Health Emergency Response Community Assessment, or CASPER Household Assessment, which concluded Saturday.
The ACE survey begins today and will run until November 22nd. Survey administrators will collect demographic and health information from people who live, work or frequent the southern region and its beaches, from Imperial Beach to Coronado. Although this study is formally similar to the CASPER study, there are some notable differences.
ACE focuses on individuals who work or live near water. CASPER focused on households and families, both of which are key to identifying community needs and prioritizing solutions related to local sewage pollution exposure.
“This community deserves better,” said Dr. Ankita Kadakia, interim county public health officer. “By helping this federal agency conduct the ACE study, people who live or work near water will be able to voice their concerns, experiences, and impacts on their physical and mental health. You get the opportunity.”
County and ACE teams will be walking through communities and beach areas with information and QR codes linked to the survey. The team looks for people who have lived, worked or spent time in the Tijuana River Valley area or along beaches for activities such as surfing, shopping, walking or fishing in the past 30 days. You can complete the ACE survey on your computer or mobile device.
The investigation will be confidential. Questions include time and location of exposure, effects on physical and mental health, medical services used, and medical history. The health of your pet will also be included in the survey.
The results of the survey will be used to better understand the health impacts on the community and determine what measures are needed to ensure the health of all residents.
ATSDR is a federal public health agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Its mission includes protecting communities from harmful health effects associated with exposure to natural and man-made hazardous substances. ATSDR responds to environmental health emergencies, investigates emerging environmental health threats, conducts research on the health effects of hazardous waste repositories, and provides practical information to state and local health partners. Provide guidance.
Past ATSDR responses include the 2023 East Palestine train derailment in Ohio and the 2015 Flint, Michigan water crisis.
For more information about ACE, visit the county’s Southern Regional Health Affairs website.
