Some Porter Ranch Parents Pull Kids Out Of School Due To Gas Leak Health Concerns

PORTER RANCH (CBSLA.com) — Worried parents in Porter Ranch pulled their kids out of school Monday, citing health concerns related to a natural gas leak that has released a foul odor into the air.

Porter Ranch residents have for many weeks complained of a noxious, "rotten-egg" smell coming from a natural gas leak that SoCal Gas says may not be fixed for many more weeks. As a result, many residents have relocated away from their homes.

The smell has been attributed to mercaptan, a chemical added to methane to warn of gas leaks. Many residents have also complained of nausea, shortness of breath, vomiting and dizziness.

Seeking to draw attention to the situation and spark an in-depth investigation into the health risks posed by the leak, some parents chose to pull their kids from area schools on Monday.

"My son was complaining of headaches," a parent said.

But some parents said they did not see how keeping their kids out of school would help their cause.

"If I were to keep my kids out of school, I'd keep them a mile away. How does that resolve anything?" said Christine Soderlund, a parent.

The LAUSD said it has begun monitoring the air near the schools.

"These exposures do not constitute an immediate danger to life, and permanent or long term health effects are not expected," the LA County Public Health Department said in a statement. "Daily, short term symptoms are expected to continue as long as the odors remain."

It was not immediately clear how many kids in Porter Ranch missed school on Monday.