Comment Log Display

I am writing to bring urgent attention to the severe and ongoing
health crisis caused by the Chiquita Landfill. As a 38-year
resident of Castaic, I have always been in relatively good health,
aside from some manageable hereditary conditions. However, in
recent years, I have developed serious and unusual health issues
that I strongly believe are linked to the toxic emissions from the
landfill, which has been burning underground and releasing
hazardous chemicals such as benzene into the air.

After attending Town Hall meetings and speaking with other
residents, I have learned that my symptoms are not isolated--many
people in my community are suffering from similar unexplained and
severe health conditions. I am deeply concerned about what
long-term exposure to these pollutants is doing to our community
and future generations.

The Devastating Impact on Daily Life

The horrible smell from the landfill has disrupted nearly every
aspect of my daily life:
    •    Outdoor activities have been eliminated. I used to enjoy
sitting in my backyard, gardening, and hosting BBQs with family and
friends. Now, the air is often so polluted that spending time
outside is unbearable.
    •    My home is no longer a refuge. I must keep my windows
closed at all times to block out the toxic odors, which means
running my air conditioning year-round--even on cool days. This has
resulted in significantly higher electricity bills.
    •    I have had to change my grocery shopping habits. The
stores I used to shop at are closer to the landfill, where the
fumes are even stronger. I now rely primarily on food delivery
services, which is costly and inconvenient.
    •    Visitors no longer come to my home. The strong chemical
smell has discouraged family and friends from visiting, leaving me
feeling isolated.

Severe and Life-Altering Health Consequences

My health has deteriorated significantly due to continued exposure
to the poor air quality. I have experienced:
    •    Burning nostrils and nasal irritation
    •    Severe headaches and sinus pressure at unusual times of
the year, including fall and winter
    •    Respiratory issues and abnormal breathing patterns
    •    Uncontrollable nosebleeds, some lasting over an hour
    •    Profuse bleeding from both nostrils and eye ducts
    •    Hand tremors and dizziness
    •    Insomnia and extreme anxiety

The most terrifying experiences have been my severe, uncontrollable
nosebleeds.
    •    October 2024: I sought medical attention at AFC Urgent
Care because my left nostril and eye duct were bleeding
uncontrollably. The doctor refused to check me in, stating that my
condition was too severe for their facility. They recommended I go
to the Emergency Room and call an ambulance. Instead, I sat in my
car and applied pressure for another 30 minutes before the bleeding
finally stopped.
    •    February 16, 2025: I woke up at 3:00 a.m. with a profuse
nosebleed. After an hour of trying to stop it, I was finally able
to control the bleeding on my own. Later that evening, between 6:30
and 7:00 p.m., I had an even worse episode--both nostrils began to
bleed heavily, followed by blood streaming from both of my eye
ducts.
    •    Emergency medical response: Paramedics arrived at my home
but were unable to stop the bleeding. The bleeding continued
throughout the entire ambulance ride to Henry Mayo Hospital. At the
ER, a doctor and medical team worked for over an hour to an hour
and a half before finally getting it under control.

After these traumatic episodes, I followed up with my primary care
provider and an ENT specialist, who placed me on a strict treatment
plan:
    •    Saline spray 3-4 times per day (two squirts per nostril)
    •    Gel treatments every morning and night
    •    A house humidifier running day and night to keep my nasal
passages moist
    •    Carrying emergency Afrin spray at all times in case of
another severe nosebleed
    •    Returning to the ER immediately if Afrin does not stop the
bleeding

Both my ER doctor and ENT specialist warned that these nosebleeds
will likely continue.

The Chiquita Landfill Problem is an Ongoing Public Health
Emergency

Despite reports that the Chiquita Landfill has been closed, the
reality is that toxic chemicals are still being released into the
air due to underground burning. The presence of benzene and other
volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in our air and potentially our
water is a severe public health hazard.

We have learned that there is no safe level of benzene exposure--it
is a known carcinogen that can cause long-term health damage,
including cancer.

This crisis is not just about individual health; it is damaging our
entire community:
    •    The air quality remains dangerous, despite supposed
landfill closure.
    •    Residents continue to report worsening health conditions.
    •    Home values are likely to plummet due to the environmental
hazard.
    •    We may be legally required to disclose this issue to
potential buyers, making it nearly impossible to sell our homes and
escape this toxic area.

A Call for Immediate Action

We, the residents of Castaic, demand swift and decisive action. Our
health and quality of life have been severely compromised, and we
can no longer tolerate inaction.

I urge your office to declare this a State of Emergency and take
the following immediate steps:
    1.    Independent air and water quality testing to determine
the full extent of toxic exposure.
    2.    Immediate mitigation efforts to stop the underground
burning and emissions.
    3.    Medical and financial assistance for residents suffering
from health complications.
    4.    Transparency and accountability regarding the ongoing
environmental hazard.

The suffering in our community must not be ignored. We need
immediate relief, intervention, and long-term solutions. Our health
and safety are at risk.

We demand action now.

Sincerely,
Lenore Bird
Castaic Resident