3 LAUSD Schools Set Up Temporary Fencing After Elevated Levels Of Lead Found Nearby

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Temporary fencing has been put up at three Los Angeles Unified School District schools after elevated levels of lead were found on the campuses.

The fences went up at Fishburne Elementary School in Maywood, Roland Avenue Elementary School in East LA and Lorena Street Elementary School in Boyle Heights.

Edith Gonzales' two sons attend Lorena Elementary School, and she says, "That's so scary because the kids sat there and ate there."

All three schools are within two miles of the former Exide battery-recycling plant.

"Why didn't they get rid of it in the summer when the kids weren't here?" asked Margie Garcia, aunt of a child in one of the schools.

Parents say they noticed temporary fencing when school started Tuesday, but they weren't notified about the potential hazard until letters went home with their students Thursday.

The letter reads in part, "Soil testing was needed to determine if lead compounds produced from the facility were present at levels that posed a threat to human health of the environment. While 18 district campuses tested needed no further action, these three (and Eastman Elementary) require more testing."

The district says the additional testing at the four schools happened back Aug. 8, and the results and the need for any further action will be posted on their website.