CAG Meeting #2

Community Advisory Group -- Meeting #2

Before I get started on updating the public, I need to disclose that the information below represents my own views -- Dr. Mike Kaiser -- one of the CAG members serving presently on the Aliso Canyon Disaster Health Research Study.

The second meeting was held at the Catholic St. Euphrasia Parish Hall Elementary School on Shoshone Ave in Granda Hills on September 24th.  An agenda was sent out in advance and can be accessed by clicking here.  An overarching theme in the early days of the formation of the Community Advisory Group (CAG) is that structure and transparency is an important part of moving forward.  The process of nailing down (agreeing) a guidance document for the CAG to operate and stand by has taken quite a bit of time.



Although, a sound and concrete agreement on transparency between the CAG, the Scientific Oversight Committee (SOC), and the Los Angeles Department of Public Health is truly needed if the Aliso Canyon Natural Gas Blowout Health Study is to be moved forward.  Last week, there was an 'interim' meeting with part of the CAG members and LA DPH to work out the specific differences between the CAG Charter and the LA DPH Guidelines (as initially proposed by each party).



CAG Meeting #2 Agenda


The agenda is shown below:


1) Updates from interim meeting

2) Project Update

3) Collaborative Workshop: Communications Solutions

4) Presentation: Introducing health study fundamentals

5) Public Comment and Questions



Updates from Interim Meeting



The review of the joined guidance document (CAG Charter plus LA DPH Guidance Document) was reviewed and discussed for quite a while.  Initially, the meeting was proposed to start at 6 pm and proceed to 8 pm covering the topics listed on the proposed agenda.  Although, as I stated above, there are specifics that need to be hammered out (agreed upon) before proceeding to the formation of the SOC and Health Study.



One major point of discussion surrounded the conflicts of interests of either SOC members or CAG members.  Specifically, how would conflicts of interest be dealt with as they arise in the future?  Depending on how the wording is stated in the COI form, potential problems are already arising.


Example:  Church and State


One of the members of the CAG was adamant about the fact that if any conflict of interest is known, then she would not be willing to serve with that member.  Unbeknownst to her, is the fact that she may have herself a potential conflict of interest.   She is employed by the Catholic Parish for the school.  There are roughly 5000 oil wells in the Los Angeles region.  Most of the land on which the drilling/oil extraction occurs is own by the Catholic Church.  The problem could arise in the video shown below:

I am by no means suggesting that she would have a strong conflict of interest in sitting on the CAG and her employment.  Although, I am suggesting that if there is a connection (investments) in the Subsidiaries of Sempra Energy and the Catholic Church, then there could be a conflict of interest.


Further, how does your religion impact your ability to be impartial on the CAG position?


LA DPH will have to make the final call on the matter in this case and discuss that in future meetings with the CAG.  Transparency will be needed on this issue.



Break Out Sessions


After discussing the new guidance document, a break out session occurred to give CAG members the opportunity to comment on two main topics.  The first session was regarding the LA DPH supported website on which the information presented here along with links will be provided.  Additionally, members of the public can give feedback into the process (CAG, SOC, LA DPH, and Health Study).



Further, members of the public are encouraged to offer questions, concerns about the upcoming Health Study -- specifically, what questions would you (as a community member) want to see incorporated into the Health Study?



I write the above statement as a stand-alone item due to the importance of the matter.  We, the CAG, are here to serve the public by conveying questions and concerns about the Health Study to the SOC and LA DPH.


Specifically: What health issues have you been impacted with due to the Natural Gas Blowout that needs to be studied?



A list of current concerns offered to LA DPH have been collected over the last few years and are summarized below:

Environmental Exposures:

• Geographic area impacted by the blowout

• Historic exposure prior to the blowout, many reports of ongoing odors before blowout

• What were chemicals in gas/oil and in drilling muds or other things used to try to stop the blowout?

• What do the chemicals do/what is their health effect in combination?

• Specific chemicals, e.g. benzene in air, hexavalent chromium in water, radiation

• Exposure during specific events/times, e.g. Halloween, school day, AYSO Soccer games

• Effect of wind patterns on exposures

• Ongoing exposure from the facility

• Ongoing exposure from soil, water, dust in homes, etc.

• Other area exposures with more or potentially cumulative impacts, e.g. Santa Susana Field Lab, Sunshine Canyon Landfill, and Chiquita Landfill

Health Issues (Former, Current or Future):

• People saw private doctors, not hospitals, so there are concerns about how the information will be discovered. Others moved away.

• Number of people who are still sick

• Specific conditions/health problems/diseases:

          o Skin rash

          o Multiple sclerosis (worsened by blowout)

          o Chronic nasal issues

          o Nosebleeds

          o Headaches

          o Increased/changed blood pressure

          o Rare diseases

          o Cancer

▪ Blood-related cancers

▪ Since cancers take years to develop, how will that be followed?

▪ Are there more cancers in this area than in other areas?

▪ Specific types of cancer (thyroid; pancreatic)

          o Asthma (see below for more details)

▪ School kids

▪ Proximity to storage facility

          o Social and emotional impacts on community members/mental health

• Deaths in the area (number and cause)

• Pet and other animal health and deaths

Specific populations:

• Children

• Schools

          o Asthma rates of school kids

          o Health impacts on students and teachers

          o Student absences

          o Student health reports

          o Castlebay Lane Elementary teachers’ cancer

• Workers and former workers

• Pregnant women

• Elderly

Last but not least, the Los Angeles Department of Public Health recorded minutes.  Below is are two lists.  The first is of Meeting Objectives:

Public Health provided a project status update including a report-back on the 8/19 Out-of-Session Meeting, status of SOC recruitment and updated language to the CAG Guidelines.

CAG members discussed opportunities to improve transparency and communications, including feedback for the website layout, recommendations for outreach opportunities (including existing events and popular locations).

Other issues and questions raised included:

• several members still disagree with CAG Guidelines and the implied collaboration of the CAG with Public Health; they desire CAG independence on certain matters, such as CAG membership;

• members want to provide input in the SOC member vetting process;

• members want updated language to the Conflict of Interest form to include language that excludes “being a former, current, or future employee of any employer, institutions or contractor which has received funding or donations from SEG Sempra or any of its subsidiaries.”

• several members stated that Public Health has not made sufficient effort to gain the trust of the community; CAG members suggested Public Health hold a town hall where they can be introduced and speak to the community;

• several members want Public Health to create a communicate channel directly between the community and themselves.

Next, LADPH provided meeting actions (to be followed up with the CAG):

Public Health will:

• provide a summary of Meeting 2

• provide a transcription of Meeting 2

• upload an audio file of Meeting 2 (and re-upload Meeting 1, ensuring the      link stays live)

• provide a transcription of CAG activities and inputs (i.e. Post-It notes);

• review feedback concerning Guidelines;

• distribute the SOC Nomination form to CAG members;

• provide a hard-copy version of the SOC member list;

• provide a “job description” for the SOC independent expert positions;

• provide a templated SOC promotional email;

• reformat the SOC Nomination Form so that the commitment is presented      upfront; also provide this information in a handout;

• provide a ‘rough’ primer of medical and mental health issues to be           considered;

• provide community outreach support protocols for CAG;

• provide protocol to request additions to CAG agenda;

• provide Website layout, site map and review document to members;

• schedule a focused call to discuss materials needed for upcoming outreach events;

• distribute existing outreach materials;

• ensure all materials (including printed surveys and feedback forms) have a QR code;

• participate in the Granada Hills Street Faire

• consider options for a contact method for CAG members, such as an AlisoStudy email address.

CAG Meeting #2 Information:


1) Agenda

2) Audio File

3) Handouts