Remnants of Eaton Fire, June 1, 2025 (Photo – Melissa Michelson)
Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-28) is leading a coalition of 27 California Congressional Delegation Members in urging the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to take immediate action to address toxic soil contamination in the aftermath of the Eaton and Palisades Fires, which devastated large swaths of Los Angeles County.
By John Boucher
In a letter sent to FEMA, the lawmakers call for a comprehensive soil testing and remediation program to support residents whose properties were destroyed or impacted by the fires. The push follows alarming findings by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and an independent investigation by The L.A. Times, both of which revealed dangerous levels of lead and other toxic metals in soil cleared through federal debris removal operations.
According to recent testing, 27% of soil samples in the Eaton Fire burn area surpassed California’s residential lead standards. That number rose to 44% in areas that had not undergone additional scraping. The Times also reported lead levels at some locations to be more than three times above the state’s safety threshold. Nearly 16,000 structures were lost to the two fires combined.
“Thousands of homeowners, particularly in Altadena where nearly 96% of homes destroyed pre-date the 1978 ban on lead paint, now face the difficult choice of incurring the significant personal expense of soil testing and remediation, or living with the potential threat of long-term exposure to hazardous substances,” the lawmakers wrote. “Lead exposure, especially for children, can cause irreversible cognitive, developmental, and behavioral damage.”
The letter calls on FEMA to:
- Provide federal funding for voluntary, opt-in soil testing for affected property owners;
- Establish a remediation program for properties that exceed safety standards, including deploying crews for bioremediation or soil removal;
- Collaborate with federal and state health agencies to issue clear rebuilding and safety guidance for contaminated areas.
“Without these steps, disaster survivors are being left with an undue financial burden and potential health risks,” the letter states. “We urge you to act swiftly to ensure that the residents of Altadena, the Pacific Palisades, and surrounding communities can safely rebuild their homes and lives.”
The letter was co-signed by Representatives Brad Sherman, Robert Garcia, Raul Ruiz, Lateefah Simon, Ted Lieu, John Garamendi, and 21 other California lawmakers.
In response to the contamination concerns, Los Angeles County launched a county-funded soil testing program in May 2025 to offer free testing to residents in and downwind of the Eaton Fire burn area.
“I commend the County for stepping up to protect public health,” said Rep. Chu. “This program is a critical first step, but we need FEMA’s full partnership to ensure all affected homeowners have access to both testing and remediation.”
Residents can learn more about soil testing and public health recommendations at LA County Public Health’s website.
The lead level inside our home in Sierra Madre Canyon is 60 times above the danger threshold — and that’s just the start. We’re dealing with extreme contamination from toxic winds after the fire, yet every agency and testing program we’ve contacted has gone silent. LA County Department of Health? Completely indifferent.
Their “eligibility map” excludes every single home affected along the mountainside — the very areas where the wind carried the heaviest toxic load. Their justification? They “didn’t expect to find much there.” Instead, they’re focusing testing efforts in the town’s commercial core — the least affected area.
When we brought lab results from one of California’s top hygienists to a city council meeting, LA County Health dismissed it. They didn’t want to hear it.
We’re still searching for help. Nobody else has toxic readings like ours — not even close. Our tests show dangerous concentrations of Vanadium, Barium, Zinc, Copper, and more — some thousands of times above acceptable limits.
Meanwhile, our insurance company is frozen. They’ve never seen results like this and have no idea how to proceed. In addition, we have talked to a few abatement contractors that have years and years of experience and they are afraid of our levels too. 🙁