Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Lax Regulatory Enforcement Leaves Thousands at Risk of Lead Poisoning in California

From:  Truth Out 

Sunday, 22 November 2015 00:00  
By Daniel Ross, Truthout | Report 


As much as 33,600 cubic yards of contaminated soil is being removed from a cleanup site at Jordan Downs in Watts, Los Angeles. Community advocates say the cleanup doesn’t meet health and safety standards. (Photo: Legal Aid Foundation)As much as 33,600 cubic yards of contaminated soil is being removed from a cleanup site at Jordan Downs in Watts, Los Angeles. Community advocates say the cleanup doesn't meet health and safety standards. (Photo: Legal Aid Foundation)

California's regulatory agencies have repeatedly failed in their testing, enforcement and cleanup of various lead-contaminated sites in the state, an investigation by Truthout has revealed.

The investigation comprised three separate sites in and around Los Angeles: the Quemetco lead-acid battery recycling facility in the city of Industry, the Jordan Downs housing project in Watts (a toxic cleanup site), and a former police department firing range in Pasadena.

The pattern of lax regulatory enforcement at contaminated sites comes at a time when scientists recognize that lead - one of the World Health Organization's 10 chemicals of major public health concern - has no safe levels, especially for fetuses and children.  MORE

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