Feds reveal efforts to clean up toxic remnants of LA wildfire were successful
The federal cleanup operation following the Eaton Fire in Altadena has been deemed successful based on recent soil testing results. The EPA reported that 98% of tested properties met safety standards for lead levels after cleanup efforts. This initiative aimed to address concerns about toxic contamination in the aftermath of the wildfires that devastated the area in January 2025.
- ▪The EPA found that 98% of properties in the Eaton Fire burn zone met federal safety standards for lead levels.
- ▪Cleanup crews removed burned debris and scraped away the top six inches of soil from destroyed homes.
- ▪More than 4,200 soil samples were collected, with 95 out of 100 surface samples testing below the federal lead screening level.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Metro Feds reveal efforts to clean up toxic remnants of LA wildfire were successful By Daniel Farr Published May 22, 2026, 2:50 p.m. ET To complete the study, crews collected soil from 30 different locations on each destroyed property. See more of our coverage in your search results. Add The California Post on Google A massive federal cleanup operation launched after the deadly Eaton Fire appears to have worked, according to new soil testing results released by the US Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA said 98% of tested properties in the Eaton Fire burn zone met federal safety standards for lead levels found below the surface. Another 95% met federal standards for lead levels in surface soil after cleanup crews completed their work.
…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at California Post.
Discussion
0 commentsMore from California Post
