Porter Ranch: What’s in the Air?

L.A. County Supervisor Mike Antonovich, Sen. Barbara Boxer and other state and local politicians are calling for more testing to make sure the area around the gas leak in Porter Ranch is safe for residents. SoCal Gas Co. has put a cement seal over the leak at its Aliso Canyon gas storage facility. But many of the thousands of displaced Porter Ranch residents don’t trust the company and are reluctant to move back. It was the strong smell of rotten eggs that first alerted them to the giant natural gas leak back in October. Many complained of headaches, nausea, and nosebleeds. But what exactly was in the air that was making residents sick? Was the danger to their health only temporary? And how is the air being tested for these compounds? Reporter George Lavender explores the science behind these questions.

SoCal Gas Company