Final Report: Roux’s Findings on Eaton and Palisades Fire Regions
Roux’s sampling of over 800 properties potentially impacted by the Eaton and Palisades fires is complete and test results have been finalized. The LA County Department of Public Health hired Roux to test soil for a set of 35 post-fire contaminants of interest, including heavy metals, PAHs, and dioxins. All findings were previously presented by the LA County Department of Public Health in town hall meetings. Now, the final report summarizing the results and findings has been issued.
Soil testing results from the areas downwind of the Eaton fire area revealed that lead levels in soil at many locations exceeded state residential screening levels. In the Palisades fire region, Roux’s findings did not identify any widespread fire-related soil impacts.
“What we see here are levels of exceedances downwind of where the main burn area is. We see the percentages of lead in those samples that are 70% up to 80% of the soil samples exceeding the screening levels,” shared Roux’s Adam H. Love, PhD, Vice President and Principal Scientist. Dr. Love spoke during each of the LA County Department of Public Health town hall meetings, alongside additional members of Roux’s Human Health Risk Assessment practice.
Through assessing the soil data from destroyed homes before and after US Army Corp of Engineers debris removal, Roux was able to document the significant reduction in potential human health risk associated with fire-related chemicals of concern.
For local residents who are concerned about their health, “it’s probably more important that they familiarize themselves with their ways to mitigate potential risk than necessarily feel an obligation to do a more dramatic soil remediation,” said Dr. Love in an interview with the Los Angeles Times.
To view the full Community Soil Sampling and Human Health Screening Report regarding the Eaton and Palisades Fire Regions, prepared by Roux for the County of Los Angeles, please request a copy below.
