Investigators Confirm Hazardous Waste Findings Near Exide Facility
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — A small army of environmental investigators from the State Department of Toxic Substances descended on a Boyle Heights community near the former Exide Battery-Recycling Facility to investigate the results of the testing CBS2/KCAL9 have conducted over the past few days.
As CBS2/KCAL9 reported on Wednesday night, after two days of testing, serious lead contamination was found along sidewalks, in backyards where children play, along the front of residencies, and in the storm channel that leads to the Los Angeles River.
The results and findings of the experts today confirmed CBS2/KCAL9's initial report.
"We can say that we're finding levels that are consistent with what you found in your report," Department of Toxic Substance Control Spokeswoman Ana Mascarenas said.
Mascarenas also added that the Dept. is especially concerned with the hazardous waste levels of lead they found in Elija Partida's backyard, because young children are the most vulnerable to the effects of lead.
Partida's father told us he had no idea his neighborhood was contaminated, and that his little boy shouldn't be allowed to play in the dirt - even though state regulators have known for at least six months the house next door is known to have hazardous waste levels of lead.
Los Angeles County Director of Environmental Health Angelo Bellomo says that if the State doesn't notify the residents of the dangers in the estimated 10,000 homes, then the County will.
State and County investigators today said that the contamination CBS2/KCAL9 found requires, "immediate action".
The real question is, how many more days will the children in this community be exposed to such hazardous waste?
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