Federal contractors improperly disposed of asbestos-tainted waste from the Eaton and Palisades wildfires at nonhazardous landfills in Los Angeles, according to state and local records. Between February 28 and March 24, cleanup crews, led by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Environmental Chemical Corp, collected debris from six homes destroyed by the wildfires. However, before reviewing mandated asbestos tests, they sent the waste to facilities like Simi Valley Landfill, where workers were not wearing protective gear.
The tests later revealed the presence of asbestos, a material that can cause severe lung damage if inhaled. The incident wasn’t reported to landfill operators or environmental regulators until mid-April, raising concerns about adherence to hazardous waste protocols. Jane Williams, executive director of California Communities Against Toxics, expressed concern, saying, “It’s the continued failure to effectively protect the public from the ash.”
The improper disposal has sparked fears among Southern California residents and environmental groups about potential health risks. Nicole Luekenga, a resident of Moorpark, voiced her concerns at a local meeting, stating, “It feels as though profit and convenience are being prioritized over public safety.”
An official from Environmental Chemical Corp acknowledged the lapse in asbestos protocols, attributing it to a possible failure in paperwork review by workers or subcontractors. The Army Corps of Engineers declined to comment on the matter. Waste Management, the owner of Simi Valley Landfill, plans to leave the asbestos-containing waste in place to avoid releasing toxic material into the air.
The Army Corps of Engineers continues its mission to clear wildfire debris from nearly 9,000 properties. Researchers like Nick Spada from the UC Davis Air Quality Research Center are studying the air near the landfills to assess dust pollution levels, which could provide insight into public health risks associated with the debris.
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