As cleanup efforts continue Thursday at the burned-out Lineage Logistics cold-storage warehouse in Boyle Heights, the company has released a list of measures being taken to control odors from rotting food that led to multiple violations issues by Southland air-quality regulators.
The South Coast Air Quality Management District has issued at least six notices of violation to Lineage for failing to control odors from the site, leading to more than 900 complaints from nearby residents about the noxious smells.
More than 85 million pounds of food were being stored at the warehouse, and as of Wednesday, 3,195 tons of the now-rotting material had been removed from the site, according to Lineage. The spoiled food is being transported to the Simi Valley Landfill in Ventura County, the El Sobrante Landfill in Corona and Hazmat TSDF Inc., a hazardous waste facility in Rialto.
On Wednesday, Lineage submitted its odor-mitigation plans to the SCAQMD. The measures include odor-control sprayers being installed around the warehouse, application of odor-neutralizer to the waste multiple times per day, and wrapping the building where possible to control odors.
Other steps include:
— Attaching carbon filters to portions of the building
— Daily washing of areas with runoff and loading areas
— Emptying and washing of drains used to collect runoff
— Transporting food waste in sealed containers
— Washing truck tires before they leave the property
— Immediate sealing of loaded trucks, with no loaded trucks remaining on the property for more than 12 hours
Air monitoring information is posted on the company’s website at https://www.onelineage.com/boyle-heights-fire-response/air-monitoring-data.
“Lineage is committed to the fastest and safest cleanup possible, including aggressive efforts to reduce odors and monitor air quality throughout the process,” Alex Rodriguez, vice president of Operations at Lineage, said in a statement. “We are committed to working closely with South Coast AQMD to address concerns and mitigate the impact of the warehouse fire on the surrounding community.”
The fire broke out June 17 at the warehouse at 1400 S. Los Palos St., sending thick smoke into the air and prompting officials to warn nearby residents to remain indoors. The city, county and state issued local emergency declarations in the days that followed. It took more than a week to fully douse the fire.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, although Lineage officials have said they believe it started while a subcontractor for Altus Power, which owns the rooftop solar array, was testing the system. Altus Power has said the cause has not been determined, and its primary concern remains the surrounding community.
With temperatures soaring, neighbors have complained of a foul odor from the decomposing food, while rats and flies have been drawn to the destroyed warehouse.
“For weeks, South Coast AQMD has worked with Lineage to provide technical recommendations and actions designed to reduce odors generated during the removal of decomposing food waste,” AQMD officials said in a statement Friday. “While Lineage has implemented some odor-reducing measures, the company has not yet incorporated several key actions requested by South Coast AQMD.”
The agency directed the company to implement more than two dozen additional odor-control measures.
According to SCAQMD officials, state health and safety rules “prohibit emissions that cause injury, nuisance or annoyance to a significant number of people or the public.”
The notices of violation can lead to civil penalties, or potentially a lawsuit if no settlement is reached.