Communities are unaware they’ve lived near toxic gas for decades. Why has no action been taken?

Communities are unaware they’ve lived near toxic gas for decades. Why has no action been taken?

Five facilities near schools and houses in California's LA County fumigate produce shipped from overseas with methyl bromide. The South Coast Air Quality Management District asked the companies earlier this year to provide data on their methyl bromide usage. But…

Californians could be breathing this toxic gas

A container of hazardous gas, likely methyl bromide, is seen at the outer berths at the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro on April 8, 2025. Photo by Joel Angel Juarez for CalMatters A CalMatters investigation of facilities emitting methyl bromide in Los Angeles County has found that local air quality officials won’t be monitoring the air or taking any immediate steps to protect people in nearby homes and schools. As Alejandra Reyes-Velarde expla…

Toxic Gas Threat in California: What You Need to Know

A container of some dangerous gas, probably methyl bromide, was spotted at the outer docks at the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro on April 8, 2025. This is the latest CalMatters investigation that discovered local air quality officials ain’t gonna monitor the air or do anything right away to keep nearby homes and […]