Soil collected in a county study from properties in both fire areas showed that even after debris and soil was removed, toxins such as lead and other chemicals could still be present above health screening levels.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Thursday, May 8, announced the findings during a virtual town hall. The county contracted with Roux Inc. which conducted the sampling study.

Results released Thursday evening came from soil collected at 15 parcels in each fire area where Phase-2 debris removal had been completed. At each parcel, 10 samples were collected including portions of the parcel where the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers removed soil and debris and where original surface soil remained.

Officials did not provide more specific information about where the parcels were located in each fire area.

According to Adam Love with Roux Inc., in the Eaton fire area, about 27% of samples from areas the army corps removed soil contained lead levels above health screening levels. However, in samples from where original surface soil remained exceedances were in 44% of samples.

“While the U.S. Army Corps doesn’t decrease the risk in the Eaton area down to zero, it does reflect a significant improvement in the risk associated with the soils there,” Love said.

In the Palisades area, while removing soil did not completely remove the presence of heavy metals and chemicals, the percent exceedances were much lower than in the Eaton fire area.

Love said in light of the findings, those rebuilding should consider a soil impact assessment and management plan as part of the rebuilding process. He suggested using an environmental professional and on site mitigation to prevent exposure.

Soil testing on properties being rebuilt, Love said, should focus on soils that will be exposed to high use like play areas, eating areas, gardens or walkways.

According to an U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dashboard, debris removal and final sign-off has been completed on 4,150 properties out of approximately 10,300 eligible properties total in both fire areas.

FEMA and the U.S. Army Corps have come under scrutiny for not conducting soil testing and only removing the top six inches of soil as part of Phase-2 debris removal.

Chief Medical Advisor Dr. Nichole Quick said the county has been conducting weekly observations of debris removal in both fires. Quick said 10 sites have been referred to CalOSHA for unsafe conditions.

She said the most common concerns observed by the county include workers dry cutting debris without water suppression, using heavy machinery near others with no barriers and not having the right protective gear.

“Often these are seen on unpermitted or opt out clean up sites where oversight is limited,” Quick said. “We have seen improvements where agencies are present.”

Last month, the county released the findings of the first two stages of the study which found elevated levels of lead on standing properties downwind of the Eaton fire. In the Palisades area, testing found localized chemical impacts in soil samples but there was not evidence of widespread contamination.

Since those results, the county approved $3 million for additional soil testing for those near the Eaton fire burn area and Pasadena Unified School District began its own soil testing at all school sites.

Quick said a county self-collection testing program is expect to launch the week of Monday, May 19 and will run through December.

About 26,000 eligible homes will receive a postcard invitation to participate. Those who do will receive simple instructions for how to collect soil samples from their own yards and will be able to drop off the samples in Altadena.

Residents should expect results back via email in seven to 10 business days.

Quick said lead is a neurotoxin, which at low levels of exposure can affect learning, development and behavior in young children. Lead exposure to pregnant women can increase the risk of miscarriage, premature birth, low birth weight and developmental issues.

Adults exposed to lead can lead to high blood pressure, kidney damage, mood disorders and problems with memory and concentration.

According to Quick, as of Monday May 5, all but three out of 775 people who have had their blood tested for lead have had results come back below the CDC’s threshold. The three people who tested above the threshold were men in their 70s.

“It is not a safety line but it is a signal that someone’s level is higher than what is seen in most children across the U.S. It helps us identify and respond to potential exposure early,” Quick said. “No amount of lead is considered safe.”

The town hall was streamed on YouTube.