KQED's Forum Forum from the Archives: Tijuana River Pollution Reaches Crisis Point in San Diego County, Scientists Warn
Jul 30, 2025
Paloma Aguirre, the Mayor of Imperial Beach, advocates urgently for solutions to the calamity of Tijuana River pollution. Soumya Karlamangla, a National Correspondent for The New York Times, shares sobering reports on the environmental disaster wreaking havoc on the community. Paula Stigler Granados, an expert in Environmental Health, explains the alarming chemical and health impacts affecting local residents, linking pollution to serious health issues. The discussion paints a dire picture of the crisis and highlights the need for immediate action to protect public health.
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Imperial Beach Residents' Health Struggles
- Imperial Beach residents live with severe pollution impacting their health and identity.
- Mayor Paloma Aguirre describes health issues like chest pains and anxiety from toxic gases.
How River Pollution Becomes Airborne
- Polluted river water creates toxic gases that aerosolize when flowing through waterfalls.
- These gases settle near ground level, causing health impacts inside homes and communities at night.
Root Causes of Pollution Crisis
- The pollution issue stems from insufficient sewage infrastructure and rapid city growth.
- Both Mexican and American factories contribute to the toxic waste in the Tijuana River.