LA County Allocates $3 Million for Soil Testing After Eaton Fire Reveals High Lead Levels

Preliminary testing shows up to 80% of soil samples downwind of the Eaton burn area exceed state lead standards, prompting swift local action.

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved reallocating $3 million from a 2018 lead-paint settlement to fund soil testing near the Eaton burn area.
Preliminary tests conducted by Roux Associates found that up to 80% of soil samples downwind of the Eaton fire exceed California's health standard for lead contamination.
The funding will support testing for residential properties within a one-mile radius of the burn zone, focusing on areas most affected by windborne ash and debris.
While the Palisades burn area showed only isolated contamination hotspots, the Eaton area results raised significant public health concerns.
Local authorities are stepping in to address environmental risks after federal agencies ceased post-fire soil testing, leaving long-term safety measures to county officials.