Soil Safe at Many Pasadena Unified Schools

Pasadena Unified District (Photo – Colorado Boulevard)

In the wake of the recent Eaton Fire and subsequent findings from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH), the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) has completed soil testing across its campuses to ensure the safety of students and staff.

By News Desk

Partnering with a State-licensed environmental consulting firm, the district undertook extensive testing of school site soils for fire-related contaminants. The initiative reflects PUSD’s stated commitment to transparency and safety.

PUSD announced that several school campuses have been fully cleared, with no elevated levels of harmful substances found in soil samples. Outdoor playfields and bare dirt areas at those locations will immediately reopen, allowing the full resumption of activities such as recess, physical education classes, and athletic practices.

However, the district also confirmed that some schools showed elevated levels of certain substances in specific outdoor areas. In response, PUSD is implementing a series of proactive safety measures:

• Continued restriction of access to affected areas pending further investigation and remediation.
• Ongoing collaboration with LACDPH and the Pasadena Public Health Department to analyze results and design science-based remediation plans.
• Additional soil testing and cleanup as needed to maintain safety standards.

Distribution of individual school notifications, including summaries of test findings, maps of impacted zones, and expected timelines for resolution.

While results for heavy metals such as lead are now available, the district noted that additional data is forthcoming. Updated maps and reports will be posted as information is received.

“We want to be abundantly clear: safety is not negotiable,” said PUSD Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Blanco. “That’s why we’re moving forward with both urgency and care. We are grateful to our school communities for their patience as we work to ensure that every student and employee has a safe environment to learn and grow.”

Families will continue to receive regular updates. Soil testing results, maps, and frequently asked questions are available at pusd.us/firerelief-safety.