The hidden poisoning of poor children at an L.A. housing complex

In September, HACLA conducted more testing of 56 soil samples at four demolition sites, although it said at the time that it wouldn’t wait for the results before moving forward with building plans. Those tests found lead levels as high as 147 ppm in some places, although the report once again averaged them out and found an average level of 80.15 ppm. It also found arsenic levels that exceeded the threshold of concern.

“This assessment has not identified Title-22 metals, including lead and arsenic, at concentrations that indicate an unacceptable human health risk to the residents of the Jordan Downs Housing Community,” it concludes. “No further investigation of risk to human health… is warranted.”

A map of HACLA’s testing with Harnden’s markings of all readings at 80 ppm or more

Scanlin added in her emailed statement, “HACLA will continue to test soils, as a normal course of business, as it moves forward with the redevelopment of Jordan Downs and continues to ensure all required mitigations are in place during construction and demolition so the work conducted on site does not have a negative impact on the health or well-being of our tenants.”

Harnden looked at a map of all the lead levels the DTSC reported, however, and found lots of room for concern, although he reiterates that his opinion has no legal or scientific import. “There are clearly hot spots and corridors of hot spots where there’s a real problem,” he said. That should at least indicate that there’s reason to investigate further, he added.

Yet those four buildings where the testing was done have already been demolished. “The question is, has that stuff been spread around?” Harnden asked. It “generates questions about where that stuff went during the demolition and was there proper protection in place.” The next phase of demolition begins next month.

Meanwhile, residents are living right next to a potentially toxic construction site. “When buildings are being demolished, there are families living not even across the street — ten feet away, right there,” Thelmy Perez said. “There are families that are living right next door.”

The 2,400 residents of Jordan Downs have particular reason to be concerned — the majority are children, mostly under the age of 10. Children are the population most vulnerable to lead poisoning, as they are more likely to absorb it and suffer ill effects on brain development. “The community is very susceptible to all of the negative effects of lead contamination,” Harnden said.

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