Tijuana River's sewage crisis finally lands in CDC's crosshairs

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has gotten involved in the public health crisis affecting San Diego as a result from toxic sewage from Tijuana spilling into the area.

As the amount of illnesses increase, the CDC Director Many Cohen said the body's Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry will collect environmental sampling data and give recommendations to alleviate the situation, CBS 8 reported.

Speaking to the network, two local doctors said the situation is dire as the amount of sewage flowing increases over a sustained period of time. They described more respiratory illnesses associated with smell, children included. People not going into the ocean are also falling ill, something that was not happening in the past, they added.

The situation has grown so dire in some places that the San Diego County has launched a pilot program that will randomly give away air purifier to residents.

Authorities allocated $100,000 to these devices in June as the issue escalated. They indicated that those who want to enter the draw have time to do so until August 14 and advised them to "act fast" due to their "limited supply."

To be eligible, households must live within the zip codes 91932, 92154 and 92173. Those not selected are encouraged to check the website in the future "for details on possible future opportunities."

The purifiers are intended as a short-term solution as pollution levels continue to be elevated, as residents have reported chronic coughs, migraines and nausea, and say the symptoms go away when they go elsewhere.

District authorities stepped up their efforts by issuing an air pollution violation to the U.S. International Boundary and Water Commission, which manages wastewater infrastructure in the Tijuana River Valley.

Several beaches in San Diego have closed over the past months as sewage flowing from Tijuana continues to make waters unsafe for people. Tijuana Slough, Imperial Beach Shoreline, Silver Strand Shoreline and Coronado Shoreline are among the most affected areas.

The issue has extended for weeks and there are no signs it will ease in the near future. Just in June, more than 14.5 billion gallons of untreated raw sewage seeped into the shores from Mexico, according to the International Boundary and Water Commission. Now, a new spot called "Goat Canyon" is responsible for at least one million gallons more every day, according to Border Report.