California schools are now cancelling outdoor activities due to stench coming from Tijuana River

Schools located near the Tijuana River Valley have suspended outdoor activities due to high levels of hydrogen sulfide in the area, a result of toxic waste coming from the river all the way from Mexico.

Researchers conducting studies in the area have also stopped their work due to the potential harm. Dr. Kim Prather, director of the Center for Aerosol Impacts on Chemistry of the Environment at UC San Diego, told researchers that she could not continue putting them "at this level of risk," according to the San Diego-Union Tribune. Prather's team, she said, has registered hydrogen sulfide levels "persistently and dramatically above the state standard."

As for nearby schools, authorities said that "due to the heat and high levels of toxins in the air from the Tijuana River Valley area and in an abundance of caution, we have issued a directive for all outdoor activities at all our schools to be limited on Monday, September 9."

"All physical education, recess and after-school activities will be moved indoors. Students will be instructed to remain indoors during lunch and all middle school sports will be cancelled," wrote Amy Cooper, executive assistant to the superintendent and special projects." The directive is set to continue throughout the week if toxin levels continue to be high.

The Southwest Teachers Union representing teachers in the district is instructing members to run air purifiers in classrooms and consider wearing facemasks.

Local authorities reiterated calls for a federal state of emergency declaration, as it would release funding and offer immediate help to alleviate the situation. Last week, a group of California lawmakers introduced legislation aimed at tackling the issue.

The Border Water Quality Restoration and Protection Act is similar to other bills that sought to restore bodies of water like Chesapeake Bay and the Great Lakes, according to Border Report.

U.S. Senator Alex Padilla said the legislation seeks to go "on offense," as "raw sewage and toxic waste continues to shut down our beaches, air is threatening the health of our community and even jeopardizes training of our military and our border personnel."

If passed, the bill would designate the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as the lead agency and coordinate agencies across all levels to address high pollution levels in the Tijuana River.

The bill comes weeks after Democratic U.S. Rep. Juan Vargas announced a $400 million contract was awarded to refurbish a plant dedicated to treating wastewater in the area. The funds will be destined to the International Wastewater Treatment Plant located in the Tijuana River Valley. "Something is being done," he said, according to Border Report. "The contract has been let and we're moving forward." However, lawmakers are asking for more, saying "immediate action must be taken to respond to this imminent and serious threats to our communities from regular exposure to air and water toxins."