Hurricanes, industrial animal operations, and acute gastrointestinal illness in North Carolina, USA.

North Carolina (NC) ranks third among US states in both hog production and hurricanes. NC's hogs are housed in concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) in the eastern, hurricane-prone part of the state. Hurricanes can inundate hog waste lagoons, transporting fecal bacteria that may cause acute gastrointestinal illness (AGI).

Residents' experiences during a hydrogen sulfide crisis in Carson, California.

Background: In early October 2021, thousands of residents in Carson, California began complaining of malodors and headaches. Hydrogen sulfide (HS), a noxious odorous gas, was measured at concentrations up to 7000 parts per billion (ppb) and remained above California's acute air quality standard of 30 ppb for a month. Intermittent elevations of HS continued for 3 months.

Residents' experiences during a hydrogen sulfide crisis in Carson, California.

Background: In early October 2021, thousands of residents in Carson, California began complaining of malodors and headaches. The odor was identified as hydrogen sulfide (HS), a noxious odorous gas. HS was measured at concentrations up to 7000 parts per billion (ppb) and remained above California's acute air quality standard of 30 ppb for a month, with intermittent elevations continuing for 3 months.

Respiratory and nervous system effects of a hydrogen sulfide crisis in Carson, California.

Background: In October 2021, many residents in Carson, California experienced malodors, headaches, and respiratory symptoms. Hydrogen sulfide (HS), a toxic odorous gas, was measured in Carson at concentrations up to 7000 parts per billion (ppb) and remained above California's acute air quality standard of 30 ppb for about a month. Research on how low- and medium-level HS exposure affects the respiratory and nervous systems has yielded conflicting results, and few studies have examined the effects of subacute HS exposure.

Cardiovascular health and proximity to urban oil drilling in Los Angeles, California.

Background: Although ~18 million people live within a mile from active oil and gas development (OGD) sites in the United States, epidemiological research on how OGD affects the health of nearby urban residents is sparse. Thousands of OGD sites are spread across Los Angeles (LA) County, California, home to the largest urban oil production in the country. Air pollution and noise from OGD may contribute to cardiovascular morbidity.