The battle over the persistent odors at the Lineage warehouse has reached South Coast air regulators. Today, the South Coast Air Quality Management District held a public hearing on a proposed order that would require the company to eliminate the odors or cease operations. Amber Frias reports for NBC4 at 5 p.m. on Aug. 5, 2026.
Lineage Logistics faced residents and public officials Wednesday during an air quality hearing focused on persistent odors from its fire-damaged cold storage facility. NBC4 Investigates has learned that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency sent a letter to Lineage demanding answers about a potential hazardous substance release.
The hearing marked the first time Lineage representatives had appeared before the general public since a town hall held shortly after the June 17 fire.
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WATCH HEREResidents of Boyle Heights, East Los Angeles and nearby communities told the South Coast Air Quality Management District that odors from the facility have made daily life unbearable.
“This is not a humane way for anyone to live,” one resident said.
“Whenever we step outside, it reeks,” another resident said. “I feel a sensation to throw up. That’s how bad it is.”
More than 90 people, including Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, signed up to speak at the hearing.
“It’s unlike anything I’ve ever experienced,” Bass said.
The air district has received nearly 4,000 odor complaints related to the facility, where meat and fish have been decomposing since the fire. The agency has issued Lineage 24 notices of violation since July 12, though no financial penalties have been imposed.
Wednesday’s hearing centered on whether the district should issue an abatement order requiring Lineage to take additional steps to reduce odors during the cleanup.
NBC4 Investigates also learned that the EPA sent a letter to the facility’s general manager requesting information about the fire and its aftermath.
“The EPA is aware of a potential hazardous substance release event at the Lineage Logistics-Big Bear facility in Los Angeles, California, on or around June 17-20, 2026,” the agency wrote.
The letter did not identify the hazardous substance under investigation.
Lineage previously acknowledged that ammonia was present at the facility during the fire but said the chemical was successfully removed from the property. The company said readings have shown no detectable concentrations of ammonia since the fire began.
However, Jill Johnston, an environmental scientist at the University of California, Irvine, said her analysis of air district data collected from late July through early August found elevated ammonia levels near the facility.
“It’s not stating that they’re exceeding regulatory standards, but they are much higher than we would expect,” Johnston said. “In other research, these concentrations have been linked with adverse health effects.”
Johnston also analyzed air samples collected near the facility by trained community scientists. She said the results showed ammonia levels above typical background concentrations in Los Angeles.
Lineage released a time-lapse video of its cleanup and said it has removed about 80% of the food waste from the warehouse. The company estimates the cleanup will cost between $80 million and $100 million.
The company has wrapped portions of the building in tarps, sprayed deodorizers and placed traps in an effort to control odors and pests. Residents, however, said the problems continue.
Lineage’s response to the EPA investigation was not immediately available.
The air quality hearing is scheduled to continue Thursday.
