'My eyes were burning:' Assemblywoman spends 12 hours near Chiquita Canyon Landfill

Efforts are escalating to shut down the problematic Chiquita Canyon Landfill near Castaic.

Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo experienced firsthand what residents in Valverde go through on a daily basis while breathing the air near the landfill during a 12-hour stay in a home adjoining the site.

Want to get caught up on what's happening in SoCal every weekday afternoon? Click to follow The L.A. Local wherever you get podcasts.

"My eyes were burning so much I just wanted to keep them closed, and at one point, my face got red like there was a reaction, a skin reaction happening, and it is hot to the touch, and you can see it a little bit even in the video," said the Assemblywoman. "In the morning, when I was getting ready, I blew my nose, and it started bleeding."

Schiavo said she cannot recall the last time she had a nosebleed.

As a result of Schiavo's experience, a group of lawmakers are putting the issue in front of Governor Newsom for a second time.

"Congressman Garcia, myself, and 15 of our assembly and senate colleagues here in the state legislature have sent a second letter to Governor Newsom calling for the state to declare a state of emergency," she said.

Residents are also pressing supervisor Katherine Barker's office for a concurrent emergency declaration which may speed up aid or relief to residents.

Follow KNX News 97.1 FM
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok