California’s Lead Contaminated Parkways near Former Recycling Plant are the Latest Focus of Cleanup Efforts

The Los Angeles Times published a report earlier this year that examined an overlooked area of lead contamination in neighborhoods impacted by a former battery recycling plant in Vernon. The plant, which once handled lead-acid batteries, has been the focus of neighborhood activists and lawmakers and has been blamed for spreading lead into the surrounding community.

As a result, a number of homes with lead contamination in their yards have been remediated. However, this most recent article examined the grassy areas between the street and sidewalks. Known as parkways, these publicly owned strips of land apparently were not included in the current cleanup activities.

To address removing lead hazards from the soil in these strips of land, state lawmakers are looking to commit $16 million to these efforts. The article states that if approved, these additional funds would increase the cost of the clean-up project to close to $200 million.

“Soil contaminated with lead, whether it’s on one side of a sidewalk or another, is a concern for property owners and families that live in these communities,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “Children and others playing in the soil or tracking the dirt indoors could expose themselves and family members to breathing lead-tainted dusts. These contaminated strips of land could be an exposure risk so it’s important that these areas are also remediated.”

California residents concerned about the potential presence of lead, other heavy metals or chemical contaminants in soil can turn to LA Testing for environmental laboratory services. LA Testing offers comprehensive and affordable testing solutions and all of the sampling supplies necessary. They have even sponsored an educational video about possible signs and symptoms of lead poisoning in children that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/HprCSwxWl0k.   

To learn more about testing for lead or other environmental, health and safety issues, please visit www.LATesting.com, email  info@LATesting.com  or call (800) 755-1794. For access to environmental test kits, visit www.EMSLTestKits.com.

About LA Testing
LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for indoor air quality testing of asbestos, mold, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash and smoke damage, particulates and other chemicals.  In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the general public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA LAP LLC., AIHA ELLAP, AIHA EMLAP and AIHA IHLAP, CDC Elite, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health and other states.  LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Huntington Beach, San Leandro and San Diego.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

LA Testing

(1) 856-303-2503

Contact via E-mail