Key Highlights
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Lead contamination dropped significantly: After U.S. Army Corps of Engineers removed the top 6 inches of soil, lead levels fell from 276 ppm to as low as 10 ppm in remediated spots.
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Some residual concern remains: Even in previously cleaned areas, lead readings lingered above California’s 80 ppm benchmark but below the EPA’s 200 ppm level. In a non-scraped area, levels hit 180 ppm in the top inch,
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Variability across the lot: Soil contamination levels varied significantly from spot to spot, underscoring how inconsistent lead presence can be—even within a single property.
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Arsenic levels not worrisome this time: Unlike initial findings, follow‑up tests revealed no concerning arsenic presence.
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Expert insight is promising: Professor Seth John noted that monthly testings across the burn zone show overall declines in lead, thanks to remediation and natural factors like rain.
When the Eaton and Palisades fires swept through Altadena six months ago, residents feared that dangerous chemicals had contaminated their properties’ soils. One homeowner, Sandy Dennis, lost her longtime home and later discovered alarmingly high lead levels—276 ppm—at a depth of 4 inches, far surpassing California’s safety threshold of 80 ppm and nearing the EPA’s 200 ppm limit.
To address this, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers removed the top 6 inches of contaminated soil from Sandy’s lot. In a recent soil collection effort, the ABC7 team deployed the same 8 inch probe and sampled from three locations: a previously tested site, a fully scraped area, and a spot untouched by remediation. Samples were then analyzed in X‑ray equipment at USC under Professor Seth John.
Results highlight a dramatic drop in lead:
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On previously scraped land, lead levels were effectively eliminated—all samples showed just 10 ppm at 3 inches deep. ABC7 Los Angeles
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In unremediated zones, the highest lead level reached 41 ppm at 3 inches—well under benchmarks. ABC7 Los Angeles+3ABC7 Los Angeles+3ABC7 Los Angeles+3
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At the original test location, topsoil (0–1 inch) readings were 180 ppm—lower than before but still above California’s benchmark. ABC7 Los Angeles+1ABC7 Los Angeles+1
“These results illustrate how widely lead can vary even across a single property,” remarked Professor John. ABC7 Los Angeles+1ABC7 Los Angeles+1
The good news? There were no concerning arsenic levels in this round—unlike the preliminary results back in February. ABC7 Los Angeles
Since the fires, Professor John and his team have analyzed thousands of soil samples in the area. They’ve found elevated lead levels in much of the Altadena burn zone—but he’s also observed a downward trend, thanks to natural processes and cleanup efforts. “This shows there was a problem,” he said, “but it’s possible to remediate properties and make them safe again.” ABC7 Los Angeles+1ABC7 Los Angeles+1
Sandy Dennis has listed her remediated lot for sale and decided to rebuild outside Southern California. Though leaving is difficult, she’s grateful her story prompted broader soil testing: “A lot of the community … we weren’t sure if we were going to get soil testing. I think your story … prompted other places to do soil testing.” ABC7 Los Angeles
Takeaway: Strategic soil removal significantly reduced lead in most parts of Sandy’s property, though some spots still registered above the state safety limit. Continued monitoring remains crucial—but remediation efforts are clearly making a positive impact.
