A lawsuit alleging negligence and reckless operation of the Sunshine Canyon Landfill in Sylmar was filed Friday by more than 1,450 residents who contend they have been exposed to toxic fumes from rotting garbage.
The Los Angeles Superior Court complaint, filed against Browning-Ferris Industries of California Inc., alleges the residents have suffered widespread harm because the operator failed to properly maintain its landfill after heavy rains, resulting in the spread of harmful levels of methane and hydrogen sulfide gases.
A landfill representative did not immediately reply to a request for comment.
In 2023, nearly 1,000 odor complaints were filed by those living near the landfill, causing the residents to suffer from headaches, nausea and respiratory problems, attorneys said.
“People have the right to live comfortably in their residences without being sickened by fumes entering their yards, doors and windows,” plaintiffs’ attorney Patrick McNicholas said in a statement. “Unfortunately, these individuals are directly and negatively impacted because of the negligence of Browning-Ferris in failing to maintain their landfill properly.”
The complaint alleges that the elevated levels of noxious gases are a direct cause of Browning-Ferris’ failure to take proper action to alleviate issues regarding rotting garbage. The lack of action has created a condition that is harmful to health, indecent, or offensive to the senses and obstructs the free use of property by the residents. the suit further alleges.
The landfill has provided waste disposal services since 1958 and encompasses 1,036 acres, of which about 365 acres are used for disposal.