Is it safe to live in Porter Ranch after gas leak?
Is it safe to live in Porter Ranch after gas leak?
After the blowout, the Los Angeles County Health Department tested 101 homes in Porter Ranch for a large range of toxic chemicals. It found dust contaminated with metals that could cause respiratory and skin irritations. They cite research showing “no long-term risk to public health or safety from the gas leak.”
Why did Aliso Canyon leak?
On October 23, 2015, Southern California Gas (SoCalGas) informed the State of a natural gas leak at its Aliso Canyon natural gas storage facility. Natural Gas is composed primarily of methane which is a potent greenhouse gas. Methane is in a category of greenhouse gases known as short-lived climate pollutants.
What happened in Porter Ranch gas leak?
An infrared image released by the Environmental Defense Fund shows methane gas leaking from the Aliso Canyon facility near the Porter Ranch suburb of Los Angeles. For 112 days, about 100,000 tons of methane, ethane and other chemicals poured into the air, forcing more than 8,000 families to flee their homes.
What happened Porter Ranch?
The Aliso Canyon gas leak (also called Porter Ranch gas leak and Porter Ranch gas blowout) was a massive natural gas leak in the Santa Susana Mountains near Porter Ranch, Los Angeles, California. On February 18, state officials announced that the leak was permanently plugged.
Is Porter Ranch a rich area?
Porter Ranch is rated the wealthiest neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley, with Encino ranked second.
Who checks for gas leaks?
Homeowners who catch a whiff of sulfur or rotten eggs should leave the house immediately and, once outside, call both the fire department and the utility company. These professionals will check the house for leaks and determine when it’s safe to reenter.
Can you smell natural gas leak?
Natural gas has no smell, which means a small leak would be impossible to detect. A hissing sound is not always present either. That’s why your utility company adds mercaptan, a harmless chemical, to the gas. Mercaptan smells like sulphur, or rotten eggs, to help you identify gas leaks.
How safe is Porter Ranch California?
There are quite a few reasons why you might be drawn to calling Porter Ranch home. It remains among the safest neighborhoods in the valley, with an average crime rate of almost 40% lower than the rest of the United States average.
