Residents along the North County coast of San Diego have recently been hit with a puzzling stench. According to the City of Carlsbad announcement, the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District has been grappling with identifying the mysterious odors with locals wrinkling their noses. Inspectors reported the smell as a combination of "plastic and asphalt/oil" but quickly confirmed that the unpleasant scent was not a consequence of the recent battery fire in Escondido.
Investigators are working swiftly to ascertain the source of the irritation, but their efforts were made difficult by the transient nature of the smell, as noted by the Air Pollution Control District. "Due to the fleeting nature of the odors, we have been unable to identify the source at this time", they said. What they do know, though, is that "these odors are not related to the fire at the SDG&E battery facility in Escondido."
Adding to the chorus of concerned agencies, the County Office of Emergency Services issued a statement: The county "is monitoring reports of a strong odor along the north coastal areas of San Diego County. The Air Pollution Control District is assessing the situation with support from the County’s Hazardous Incident Response Team." They also clarified that the Coast Guard had not reported any spills that could have accounted for the smell.
The City of Carlsbad Fire Department is monitoring the situation closely. Eager to ensure the well-being of its citizens, the city promises to provide updates as they become available. Locals looking for the latest information are being directed to check the county's emergency services web page regularly.
