By SDCN Editor
San Diego, CA–A survey collecting insights from San Diegans on how sewage pollution from the Tijuana River has affected their lives recently reached a major milestone, with the 1,000th participant submitting their response.
This milestone marks the halfway point toward the survey’s target of 2,000 respondents.
The Assessment of Chemical Exposures (ACE) survey, launched on October 21, was created in collaboration with the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, a branch of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The survey follows the CDC’s Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER), which conducted in-person interviews with residents of Imperial Beach and Nestor in mid-October. Together, these efforts aim to gather a comprehensive understanding of the physical and mental health impacts of sewage pollution on communities in San Diego’s southern region.
“We’re really grateful for this strong public response,” said Dr. Seema Shah, San Diego County’s Interim Deputy Public Health Officer. “Our teams have been working hard, going door-to-door, attending community events, and partnering with local schools, businesses, and health centers to spread the word. But there are still many voices to be heard, so I encourage anyone eligible to take 20 minutes to share their experiences.”
The ACE survey is designed for people who live, work, or frequently visit affected areas, asking participants to report on health issues, both physical and mental, as well as pet health, health services accessed, and medical history. The survey’s goal is to provide local health officials with data to inform future steps in addressing the pollution crisis.
Residents in areas near the Tijuana River Valley, Nestor, and Coronado are eligible to complete the ACE survey online. For those who could not participate in the CASPER survey, this offers another opportunity to contribute valuable information on the effects of exposure to the region’s sewage issues.
Open through November 22, the survey takes approximately 20 minutes to complete, is voluntary, confidential, and allows parents and guardians to participate on behalf of minors. San Diego County officials encourage anyone who meets the criteria to participate, helping to build a robust data set for tackling this ongoing environmental health issue.
