DUARTE, California — Local resident Ceci Carroll, who has lived in Duarte for 23 years and previously served on the school board, expresses significant concerns over potential air contamination from a rock-mining company and a new hazardous waste processing site. As crews begin to clean up debris from the recent Los Angeles wildfires, the establishment of a processing site for hazardous materials from the Eaton Fire raises alarms for Carroll and her community. She emphasizes the importance of shielding local children and families from the risk of chemicals and hazardous materials.
Together with residents from Duarte and nearby cities, Carroll is voicing opposition to the Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to set up Lario Park in Irwindale as a temporary location for sorting, packaging, and moving hazardous waste from the Eaton Fire. This area, typically enjoyed by families picnicking and biking, now has residents worried that the processing of dangerous materials could lead to air pollution or groundwater contamination.
The fires that ignited on January 7 resulted in the destruction of thousands of structures, including homes, vehicles, and electronics across Los Angeles. The EPA has undertaken the daunting mission of cleaning up what could amount to hundreds of tons of hazardous waste from both the Eaton and Palisades fires, which involves safely handling items such as paints, pesticides, solvents, compressed gas containers, ammunition, and lithium-ion batteries that may pose additional risks if ignited.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis stressed that the clean-up should not compromise community health, particularly for residents of areas already significantly affected by pollution. The local neighborhoods are predominantly Latino and confront elevated levels of ozone and particulate matter compared to other regions, as per findings from the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment.
While experts recognize the residents’ worries, they also clarify that hazardous waste is not inherently dangerous when adequate safety protocols are established and materials are not stored indefinitely on-site. During a recent town hall meeting, local officials, including California Senator Susan Rubio, pressed state and federal representatives on numerous issues, including the selection of the site, lack of prior consultation, and the rationale for transporting toxic materials 15 miles from the burn zone, raising fears of contamination across the community.
The auditorium was packed with concerned citizens, who voiced their dissent through chants like “Shut it down!” and “Leave it in Altadena!” EPA coordinator Tara Fitzgerald reassured attendees that other closer sites were currently in use for emergency operations but defended the decision to utilize Lario Park due to its appropriateness and availability.
This clean-up effort is part of a wider pattern, Fitzgerald noted, highlighting that similar operations in response to past fire incidents—such as the Woolsey, Santa Rosa, and Napa fires—did not impose any adverse effect on local communities. However, the scale of the Eaton and Palisades fires sets a new precedent: data shows that these recent fires have devastated more urban land than the noted Woolsey Fire.
The EPA has committed to implementing robust safety protocols, including regular air monitoring, soil sampling, and controlling dust with the use of water trucks as waste is moved out daily. They are taking measures such as lining processing areas with plastic and using protective barriers to contain spills, while also ensuring that transport follows surface streets instead of highways for added safety. Tara Fitzgerald indicated that the site would likely be active for less than six months, as further locations are considered.
Experts, including UCLA associate professor Sanjay Mohanty, downplayed the likelihood of groundwater contamination, explaining that pollutants require extended time and significant water to migrate downward effectively. However, he acknowledged that dust emissions could pose threats to air quality, emphasizing the importance of mitigation strategies.
Despite these reassurances, Duarte resident Laura Jasso walked away from the meeting feeling uneasy and frustrated by the perceived lack of transparency from officials. She articulated her doubts about the motives behind the project’s implementation and echoed the community’s demand for accountability.
According to Rachael Jones, director at the UCLA Center for Occupational and Environmental Health, residents maintain the right to information regarding hazardous waste management and must remain alert to developments at the processing site. Jasso, reflecting the sentiment among fellow residents, declared their resolve against the establishment of such a site in their community, cognizant that while the operation is currently unavoidable, safeguarding their families and children remains paramount.
