Residents report nosebleeds, headaches after World Oil Recycling fire; council urged to improve emergency alerts

A string of public commenters at the May 26 council session urged the city to strengthen emergency communications and coordinate with air regulators after a fire at the World Oil Recycling Center earlier in the week.

Several residents from District 2 described symptoms they attributed to the event. Allison Salas, a Jefferson Elementary student, told the council she had 11 nosebleeds over two weeks and was picked up early from school the day of the fire. A parent who spoke said she and her daughter experienced headaches and nosebleeds and had called AQMD and sheriff’s personnel.

Speakers asked why the city did not send a broad amber‑style alert to residents and schools, and whether the alerts take into account vulnerable groups such as pregnant people, the elderly and those with underlying health conditions. They also asked whether the city is systematically tracking World Oil’s violations — commenters said the facility had prior air‑quality citations — and urged local assistance such as air purifiers for affected households and clearer public updates about water and air quality.

Mayor Sharief and staff said the city had reported the incident to the sheriff and that the mayor’s office would meet with district residents and school officials; staff committed to improving public notifications and working with AQMD and regional partners to clarify what triggers community alerts. Councilmembers asked for a staff plan to update alert‑protocol communications and to provide clearer public summaries of ongoing regulatory actions and health guidance.

The council did not adopt an immediate ordinance; residents asked staff to return with a written plan for emergency alert thresholds and outreach to affected households, particularly near schools.