On Thursday Aug. 16, local residents reported a strong odor emanating through the air that could be smelled in several Orange County cities including Costa Mesa.

According to the South Coast Air Quality Management District, the source of the odor at this time is unknown, however, it was erroneously reported in local media and other areas that the source was OC Vector Control.

The odor did not come from OC Vector Control and officials there issued the following statement Friday regarding this misinformation:

“The Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District has not conducted any aerial spraying and this year’s data does not support such drastic measures. The District’s campaign against mosquitoes involve the use of public health pesticides that are registered by the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) and is conducted to prevent human illness or to suppress a heavy nuisance infestation of mosquitoes.”

Vector Control officials also confirmed that the product they use to spray for mosquitoes is water-based and odorless.

Officials at the South Coast Air Quality Management District confirmed they are aware of the odor and have dispatched inspectors to conduct an investigation into the source of the odor.

The South Coast AQMD web page has information about similar odors that have been noticed by residents in the past. Click here to learn about the source of these odors.