Don't Swim in the Ocean & Don't Breathe the Air

When you think things can't get any worse, think again.

Researchers have recently provided some pretty strong confirmations that pollutants from the TJ River are not only poisoning our ocean water, they could be contaminating the air we breathe.

"The study found harmful pollutants carried by the river are being aerosolized by sea spray. Kim Prather, an atmospheric scientist at Scripps Institution of Oceanography — was involved in a dispute with county officials about air quality in the Tijuana River Valley." —Andrew Keatts, AXIOS San Diego

Maybe I'll think twice now about that leisurely walk along a southern California beach . . . sewage water roiling over my toes and tainted air filling my lungs. Our "Surfin' Safari" days may be a thing of the past.

"Researchers measured one pollutant — octinoxate, a UV filter in sunscreen — that correlated with Tijuana River flow surges in amounts near the coast that were comparable to the levels found standing directly above a vat at a wastewater treatment plant." ——Andrew Keatts, AXIOS San Diego

Andrew Keatts' May 28th Axios San Diego article is a real wakeup call for all you ocean lovers. "Tijuana River pollution isn't just in the ocean — it's in the air too" tells you more that you really wanted to know.

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