Aliso Canyon Disaster Health Research Study
August Newsletter
Dear community member,
August was a busy month for the Aliso Canyon Disaster Health Research Study (ACDHRS) project team. Community opinion research is being conducted to learn about public sentiments and priorities for the Health Study. The first online focus group discussion with residents near the SoCalGas Aliso Canyon gas storage facility was completed and covered a broad range of topics including health impacts, safety concerns, and public trust. In addition, the Department of Public Health (Public Health) gained access to sample waste bins containing materials from the Aliso Canyon blowout and Well-control operations. Public Health is seeking expert advice from the Scientific Oversight Committee to guide the waste bin sampling and chemical testing needed to inform the Health Study.
The ACDHRS project team thanks you for your continued patience as we advance project efforts while we navigate through this challenging time. Looking ahead, the ACDHRS Virtual Town Hall will take place on Wednesday, September 30, 2020 from 6:00 - 8:00 PM. The ACDHRS Virtual Town Hall is an opportunity to hear from Public Health leadership, ask questions, and take part in an event that will bring community awareness and engagement to the forefront. Visit our Town Hall Resources page to learn more.
Please see below for additional information on this past month’s project activities, and for future updates, please subscribe to the Public Health newsletter.
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ACDHRS Project Team Updates: Aliso Canyon Materials Sampling
At the beginning of August, Public Health worked with a third-party consultant to collect samples from bins containing soil and other materials from the Aliso Canyon blowout and Well-control operations. These bins are being stored at the SoCal Gas Aliso Canyon gas storage facility and were going to be disposed in August. Public Health worked with local and state regulatory agencies to ensure a time extension was granted to SoCal Gas. This will allow sufficient time for Public Health to seek expert guidance from the Scientific Oversight Committee and conduct any additional sampling and testing needed to inform the Health Study.
“We collected 23 samples of materials stored onsite, including water, soil, sludge, and oil, as directed by Public Health according to standard environmental protocol. We had an experienced team of four personnel to collect, label, and document the samples, including 12 coolers containing ice and the samples, and other various equipment.” says Meredith Church, lead Geologist who organized and conducted the waste bin sampling.
Visit the ACDHRS webpage for future updates on the waste bin sampling.
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Scientific Oversight Committee (SOC) Updates
Over the last three months, the ACDHRS project team facilitated three SOC meetings. The SOC heard from the CAG and community members about the impacts of the Aliso Canyon blowout and community priorities for the Health Research Study, began the process of providing expert guidance on the Health Research Study scope, and discussed internal structure, responsibilities and processes. As we move forward, Public Health and the SOC will continue to ensure community-centric feedback directly informs the Health Research Study’s scope of work. Check out the ACDHRS SOC webpage to learn more.
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Community Engagement Updates
In collaboration with the Probolsky Research Group, we recently closed out the final day of our first focus group session. The online focus group discussions with residents living near the Aliso Canyon Gas Storage Facility, focused on personal attitudes, knowledge, physical and emotional health, and symptoms in relation to the gas blowout. Research is ongoing, and phone interviews will start in September. The second focus group session will follow shortly after the stakeholder interviews. Information gathered will inform the Scientific Oversight Committee as they decide on the goals of the Health Research Study.
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Community Advisory Group (CAG) Updates
Community Advisory Group Meetings are held regularly through Microsoft Teams on the 4th Monday of every month. Please visit the ACDHRS webpage to view upcoming meetings and to access meeting agendas, summaries, and other materials. Members of the public are encouraged to attend and provide input during the public comment periods.
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Upcoming Community Meetings
Save the Date: ACDHRS Virtual Town Hall
Wednesday, September 30, 2020 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
The ACDHRS Virtual Town Hall will be hosted by Public Health to build awareness on the purpose and progress of the Health Research Study. The Town Hall will include a live Q&A session, allowing community members to voice their questions and have them answered by Public Health leadership and the ACDHRS project team.
We welcome everyone to submit questions in advance by sending an email to AlisoStudy@ph.lacounty.gov with the subject line “Town Hall.” Answers to questions that are emailed to us and asked during the townhall will be posted on the Town Hall Resources webpage. For more information on the Virtual Town Hall, a tutorial of the WebEx video-conference platform, and additional resources, please visit our Town Hall Resources page.
A test run of the Virtual Town Hall will take place on Wednesday September 9 from 5:00 – 6:00 PM to allow community members to learn the WebEx video-conference platform. More information can be found on the ACDHRS website.
Monthly Community Advisory Group (CAG) Meetings
Date: Monday, September 28, 2020
Time: 4:00 PM
Call-in Toll number: +1 323-776-6996
Conference ID: 302 122 953#
Date: Monday, October 28, 2020
Time: 4:00 PM
Call-in Toll number: +1 323-776-6996
Conference ID: 302 122 953#
All community members are encouraged to participate and provide public comment. As a reminder, for those unable to participate in monthly CAG meetings, we will continue to make meeting materials such as the agenda, summary, and other resources readily available on our webpage.
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The ACDHRS Team thanks you for your continued collaboration and support as we plan this important health study. |
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Stay Connected With Us
Questions? Send an email to alisostudy@ph.lacounty.gov.
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