The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, Tuesday, April 15, unanimously approved reallocating $3 million toward soil testing in the Eaton fire burn area following the results of a county study which found higher levels of lead on parcels downwind of the fire.
Last week, the Department of Public Health released the preliminary findings from a representative soil sampling study that tested soil from various locations in and around the Eaton and Palisades fire areas. In Palisades, while there were hotspots of heavy metal and chemical impacts to soil there was no evidence of widespread contamination.
However, officials said the most concerning results came out of the Eaton fire area, where a higher percentage of soil samples had lead levels above health-based screening thresholds. The samples came from parcels downwind of the Eaton fire area, with the highest levels seen around the Normandy Heights neighborhood.
“The findings shared by the Department of Public Health are concerning for our residents who live near the Eaton Fire burn area and are now facing the possibility of soil contamination,” Supervisor Kathryn Barger said in a statement. “I’m aware some of my constituents want to test their soil but are worried about the cost. I want to make sure they have access to resources and support to protect their health and their homes.”
Barger and Supervisor Lindsey Horvath submitted the motion, which directs the reallocation of funds from the Lead Paint Hazard Mitigation Program settlement fund.
The motion was approved without discussion as part of the consent agenda.
In 2018, the county settled litigation with former manufacturers of lead-based paint. The settlement allowed the county to use the funding to address public health hazards and property damage related to lead paint.
When announcing the soil testing results experts said the findings were consistent with elevated levels of lead in air samples collected after the fire and with the number of homes with lead-based paint that burned. Lead-based paint was common in homes prior to 1979.
An additional stage of the study will include results from soil taken from parcels where Phase-2 debris removal has been completed.
The funds will support soil testing for residential property owners living near the burn area focusing on those within a one-mile radius of the burn zone and in areas downwind of the fire.
According to the county, the Department of Public Health will contract with certified laboratories to conduct soil testing.
On Sunday, Pasadena Unified School District Superintendent Elizabeth Blanco said in a statement that the district was working with the Pasadena Public Health Department to develop guidance for schools.
“We are proactively taking additional safety measures and contracting with a qualified environmental consultant to conduct soil sampling at campuses potentially affected by windborne ash and debris,” Blanco said in a statement. “PUSD will replicate sampling conducted at residences by the LA County Department of Public Health.”
Blanco said there were no plans to close any schools.