This week, a lawsuit was filed against the operator of the Sunshine Canyon Landfill in Sylmar on behalf of residents who claim to be subject to toxic fumes from rotting garbage.
The lawsuit alleges negligence and reckless operation of the landfill, causing the emission of harmful levels of methane and hydrogen sulfide gases that created unsafe living conditions for thousands of nearby residents, who claim they have endured headaches, nausea, respiratory issues and the inability to use their properties.
“This is not just about holding a corporation accountable, it’s about restoring the rights of citizens to live in their homes without fear of what’s in the air they breathe,” stated Jason Frank, an attorney on the case.
The mass tort lawsuit is being filed on behalf of over 1,450 residents against Browning-Ferris Industries of California, Inc., the operator of the Sunshine Canyon Landfill.
The site has provided waste disposal services since 1958 and now “handles approximately one-third of the daily waste of all Los Angeles County and receives roughly 9,000 tons of waste per day, or more than 2.5 million tons annually.”
The website states, “Sunshine Canyon Landfill is committed to operating with environmental practices and policies that are good for our customers, local businesses and residents.”
In August, Sunshine Canyon invited local residents and community leaders to the site, offering a look into the landfill’s operations and a chance to meet on-site experts.
“We control landfill gas, use water and soil sealants to reduce dust from earthmoving and disposal activities,” it reads on the website. “To address public concerns, Sunshine Canyon conducts required quarterly air monitoring to measure dust and diesel particulate levels at Van Gogh Elementary School, the closest school to the landfill, and the site.”
Plaintiffs allege that following heavy rains in late 2022 and 2023, the landfill operators failed to implement the necessary measures to allow the landfill to drain properly, causing decomposing garbage to become saturated. This saturation created an environment for bacteria to breed and consequently, methane and hydrogen sulfide gases were released into the atmosphere, negatively impacting nearby residents.
Nearly 1,000 odor complaints were filed by those living near the landfill in 2023 alone.
According to the lawsuit, one resident, Caryshia Perkins, who lives less than a mile from the landfill, said she suffered headaches, nausea and a loss of appetite. Plaintiff Denise Cabeza-Rivera, who lives 2.5 miles away, complained of headaches, a runny nose and a cough.
“People have the right to live comfortably in their residences without being sickened by fumes entering their yards, doors and windows,” stated Patrick McNicholas, an attorney representing the plaintiffs. “Unfortunately, these individuals are directly and negatively impacted because of the negligence of Browning-Ferris in failing to maintain their landfill properly.”
Residents are requesting a jury by trial and compensation for personal injuries, loss of quality of life and diminishing property values.
“Our lawsuit is not asking for remediation, but that appropriately should be done,” said McNicholas. “The defendants in these cases deserve remediation, otherwise those neighborhoods will never be livable again.”
Representatives for Sunshine Canyon Landfill denied requests for comment.