A new lawsuit is demanding immediate action to relocate schools near Chiquita Canyon Landfill.
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The complaint focuses on the harmful impacts of the landfill’s toxic fumes, saying local children are suffering headaches, nausea, fatigue, nosebleeds, rashes, and itchy skin.
Jennifer Elkins, a mother of three, said her kids can’t play outside because of the odor, which she described as “sour milk, pungent, Port-a-Potty chemical.” She told KNX News’ Nataly Tavidian that some neighbors have uprooted their lives and left the state to get away from the landfill, but for her family, moving out isn’t an option.
“Obviously, we'd like to get out for the health and safety of our children, but we bought our home in 2016 when prices were low and interest rates were low, and we honestly could not afford to sell our home and start all over at this point,” Elkins told KNX News’ Nataly Tavidian.
Elkins added that several neighbors on her street have been diagnosed with cancer this year, and she’s terrified that her children could also develop cancer or other long-term illnesses.
After years of complaints from residents, Chiquita Canyon Landfill was ordered to reduce its intake of solid waste by about 50% at the start of 2025, but the county hasn’t yet requested or declared a state of emergency to address the pollution.
KNX News has reached out to Chiquita Canyon Landfill for comment on the lawsuit.
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