Soil testing from parcels with intact homes downwind of the Eaton Fire has revealed a higher percentage of samples with lead levels above health standards, the Los Angeles County Department of Public reported Thursday.
The preliminary findings also showed “localized chemical impacts to soil” above acceptable health-based screening thresholds in the Palisades Fire area, but there is no evidence of widespread fire-related contamination, officials said.
Roux Inc. does the county’s soil sampling and analysis, measuring levels of harmful substances that may be present following a wildfire that include heavy metals, dioxins and polyaromatic hydrocarbons, known as PAHs. Roux personnel took soil samples in an assortment of neighborhoods from properties in varying conditions in and around the Eaton and Palisades burn areas. From mid-February to mid-March, soil was tested from destroyed, damaged and intact properties within the burn zones and from properties on burn area perimeters.
A final report and analysis will be available in May, officials said.
“Levels below the screening thresholds are considered protective over a lifetime of exposure, even for the most vulnerable people,” according to the health department. “If levels exceed the screening thresholds, it does not automatically mean cleanup is required, but it suggests the need to consider additional evaluation.”
Soil sampling involves collecting samples from a range of fire-affected areas to determine levels of contamination from ash or chemicals in an effort to comprehend the fires’ overall impact on the environment. The preliminary findings and analysis are on the Public Health Post-Fire Assessment webpage under sections “Outdoor Soil – Yards and Outdoor Soil – Ash/Soot.”
“The identification of high frequent lead exceedances in soil samples from downwind of the Eaton fire are consistent with reports of elevated lead in air samples collected in the days immediately following the fire,” Public Health reported. “The source of lead in the fire is reasonably expected to be from the burning of homes with lead-based paint, which was common prior to 1979.”
CalTech reported that over 90% of the houses in Altadena were built prior to 1975.
Health officials noted that because of the many possible lead sources in soil in the LA area, further assessments will help determine how much of the lead found in soil samples came from the 2025 wildfires rather than other sources.
Testing showed “isolated areas” contained heavy metals and PAHs above screening thresholds in the Palisades Fire area, but the source is currently unknown, officials said, adding that “these are not consistent with communitywide impacts from fire-related smoke plumes.”
The health department cautioned that individual properties may have unique circumstances that lead to differences compared with soil sampling results.
“The reported results are not intended to imply cleanup or specific remediation is necessary; rather, the results identify areas potentially requiring additional evaluation,” according to the department.
Homeowners “may want to consult an environmental professional about evaluating their property” if they are concerned about possible contamination, officials said. “In all areas with on-going fire debris, residents are reminded to take precautions to not inhale, ingest or come into contact with ash, soot, and/or fire debris by using appropriate personal protective equipment. Additionally, community members are encouraged to review the soil sampling results and consider taking appropriate precautions if your home is in one of the areas where soil sample screening thresholds have been exceeded.”
The health department published guidelines for best practices to minimize exposure to toxins.
The county is offering free blood tests to detect lead. Testing is available through by visiting a medical provider, with costs covered by most insurance plans including Medi-Cal, scheduling a free appointment at a Quest Lab by calling 800-LA-4-LEAD or accessing walk-in mobile testing offered at community events.
“Testing is fast, free, confidential, and does not require insurance,” according to the health department. “Lead exposure can be especially harmful to children and pregnant individuals, and early detection is key.”
For additional information or to locate blood test sites, visit ph.lacounty.gov/wildfires or call 800-524-5323.
The health department provided resources for having residential soil tested.
Universities
- Colorado State University, College of Agriculture Sciences https://agsci.colostate.edu/soiltestinglab/
- UC Davis Analytical Laboratory https://anlab.ucdavis.edu/
Private laboratories
- CLS Labs (Soil, Water, Environmental) in Rancho Cordova, 800-638-7301, californialab.com, info@californialab.com
- Eurofins Environmental Testing Calscience in Garden Grove, 714-895-5494, website.
Environmental consultants
- GeoSoils Inc. geosoilsinc.com;
- American Technologies Inc. atirestoration.com;
- National Construction and Remediation Inc. ncrdemo.com;
- Brunsing Associates brunsing.com; and
- Unlimited Environmental Inc ueiteam.com.
The Eaton Fire burned Jan. 7-31 after erupting amid intense winds, according to Cal Fire. The blaze destroyed 9,414 structures, damaged 1,074 and caused the deaths of 18 people.
