The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health launched a soil lead testing program Thursday for properties downwind of the Eaton Fire, which devastated areas of Altadena, Pasadena and Sierra Madre in January.
Officials said the program, which is expected to continue until December, enables residents to collect soil samples and submit them for testing at the county’s expense. The new program instructs residents on how to collect samples from their yards, then drop off the soil in Altadena at the One Stop Permit Center — Public Health Table at 464 W. Woodbury Road, Suite 210. The center is open weekdays 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Certified laboratories contracted by the county will pick up the samples and do the testing, according to the health department. Within 10 days residents will get an email with test results includes a link to a webpage that helps interpret results and offers health-oriented guidance on next steps.
“Los Angeles County is committed to being responsive to the needs of our residents impacted by the Eaton Fire, which is why we’re providing soil testing resources and support to ensure residents can make informed decisions about their health,” Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger, whose 3rd District is where the Eaton Fire struck, said in a statement. “The Department of Public Health’s soil testing program is free, convenient and will provide concerned residents accurate information about the environmental health of their soil.”
Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer noted “how deeply concerned residents are about the safety of their homes and neighborhoods. This soil testing program for properties downwind of the Eaton Fire — where the highest lead levels were found — is meant to provide accurate, data-driven information for residents to make informed choices to protect their health,” she said in a statement.
About 26,000 homes in areas with the highest levels of lead in the soil will receive postcards in the mail, and Public Health workers will do door-to-door outreach, officials said.
On April 15 the Board of Supervisors directed the health department to use up to $3 million from the county’s Lead Paint Hazard Mitigation Program to fund the soil-testing initiative. The new residential do-it-yourself testing program follows soil sampling by Roux Associates and confirmed by Caltech, the Los Angeles Times and other independent researchers, according to Public Health.
On April 11, county health officials announced elevated levels of lead were found in residential areas south and downwind of the Eaton Fire’s burn area.
Last week, the Pasadena Unified School District reported that soil tests revealed elevated levels of contaminants on 12 campuses.
Children, the elderly and adults who are pregnant or have existing health conditions are especially vulnerable to the toxicity of lead and other heavy metals.
Burned lithium-ion batteries, electronics, household appliances and other items release contaminants into the environment.
Public Health provides more information on post-fire health concerns on the agency’s website.
The county also now has a website for the residential soil-testing initiative, ph.lacounty.gov/eaton-soil-testing.
