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Recent soil testing by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has revealed high levels of lead and other toxic metals in areas affected by January's wildfires. These findings come from homesites that were cleared by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the federal agency responsible for debris removal in the Eaton and Palisades wildfire zones.
The county hired Roux Associates Inc. to conduct soil sampling at 30 homesites. The results showed that in the Eaton fire area, 27% of samples from cleaned areas still had lead levels above California's residential standards, while 44% of samples from untouched areas exceeded these levels. In contrast, the Palisades area showed less contamination, with less than 3% of samples from cleaned areas and about 12% from untouched areas having elevated lead levels, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The federal government decided against testing the soil for hazardous substances, which has drawn criticism from environmental experts. Adam Love, vice president of Roux, suggested that older homes with lead paint in the Eaton area might contribute to the contamination. He recommended that property owners consider soil impact assessments before rebuilding.
The county has approved $3 million to help homeowners test their soil for lead, starting May 19. Residents will receive instructions on collecting soil samples, which can be dropped off for analysis. The Daily Bulletin reported that the county's Chief Medical Advisor, Dr. Nichole Quick, emphasized the risks of lead exposure, especially to children and pregnant women.