Residents living near contaminated sections of the Tijuana River in San Diego are being advised to wear face masks when outdoors, while local authorities have distributed air purifiers to nearby households. The measures come in response to persistent pollution that has released toxic gases into surrounding communities.
U.S. officials have been forced to adopt these temporary solutions for homes closest to areas with the highest concentrations of waste. During the “Cleaning the Tijuana River” regional meeting held on the morning of Friday, June 5, Serge Dedina, former mayor of Imperial Beach and current executive director of Wildcoast, told SanDiegoRed.com that the toxic gases and strong odors emanating from the contaminated water have prompted the use of air purifiers inside homes.
Dedina also noted that residents living near or within contaminated zones have been formally advised to wear face masks.
Keep reading: San Diego County Issues Toxic Gas Warning After Tijuana Sewage Spill
According to The Times of San Diego, authorities distributed air purifiers in December 2026 to the most affected households after initial units proved ineffective at filtering out toxic gases.
These measures have been in place since mid-2025 as part of an effort to mitigate the health impacts of pollution in the river, which officials say originates from the Mexican side of the border.
One of the primary pollutants is hydrogen sulfide, a gas known for its distinct “rotten egg” smell. Produced by wastewater in the river, the gas can cause headaches, nausea, and long-term health problems.
Dedina added that residents of Imperial Beach, one of the hardest-hit areas, are now “disappointed” with the government’s response. He expressed hope that a lasting solution will be found to a problem that has disrupted the daily lives of hundreds of people.
