Central Metal Site Investigation: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
EPA will continue to update this list of FAQs periodically as new questions are received and will post them on the Central Metal website.
Site Investigation Process Questions
Why does EPA do site investigations?
EPA does a site investigation to see:
- what hazardous substances may be present at the site,
- whether these substances are being released to the environment, and
- if these substances pose a potential threat to human health.
How will the investigation benefit the community?
The investigation will see if there are elevated levels of lead, arsenic and other potential contaminants in the community. This work is important because lead, arsenic and other metals could cause health effects.
What will residential soil test results be used for?
EPA will use the results from the soil tests to see if contamination from the Central Metal site has blown onto nearby properties. EPA will then use the test results to see if the site:
- is eligible to be listed on the National Priority List (NPL) for cleanup as a Superfund NPL site;
- is not eligible for the NPL, but should be cleaned up by another EPA program;
- should be referred to the State of California for follow-up; or
- does not require any further action.
Residential Soil Sampling Questions
Who did the sampling and how long did it take?
EPA and its contractors completed the soil sampling at 84 properties in August 2022. At each property that was tested, six to eight people worked on collecting samples for about an hour.
Who paid for the residential soil sampling?
EPA paid for all residential soil sampling work.
What is the soil being tested for?
EPA tested the soil in residential yards for metals, including arsenic and lead.
How much soil was removed during sampling?
Only a few cups of soil were removed at each sampling location. All soil removed was replaced with clean soil.
How were the sampling locations selected?
EPA sampled a portion of Florence-Firestone and Walnut Park neighborhoods because they are located close to the Central Metal site. EPA selected a specific area within those neighborhoods for testing soil based on wind patterns blowing from the Central Metal site. The sampling area is where EPA thought contamination may have blown to based on these patterns. The soil collected from residential yards is being tested to see if hazardous waste from the Central Metal site has blown into these areas. Not all properties in these areas were sampled.
Why is sampling taking so long?
Residential soil sampling is a complex process that takes time to plan and implement, and COVID-19 has only made it more difficult. Two planned sampling events, one in Fall 2020 and a second in Fall 2021, had to be canceled due to difficulties in securing Access Agreements from enough homes and COVID-19 related constraints on staff travel and work. We recognize that these delays are frustrating. When we obtained enough Access Agreements, we were able to move forward with residential soil sampling in August 2022. Test results will be analyzed at a lab and ready to share with the community in 2023.
How will I receive my personal sampling results?
EPA will provide results to the owner and/or tenants of each residential yard sampled. If there are soil samples with elevated levels of contamination, EPA will contact residents to explain the information and next steps. Additionally, after the sampling event, a summary of the residential soil sampling results will be in a Site Inspection Report. No personal information of the homes sampled will be shared publicly.
Health-Related Questions
The Los Angeles Public Health Department is the lead agency for health-related questions associated with the Central Metal site. For more health-related questions, please contact Elena Hoeppner from the Los Angeles Department of Public Health at (626) 430-9822 or ehoeppner@ph.lacounty.gov.
I have been living here for a really long time. Have I been in contact with metals in the past?
We can’t determine risks from the Central Metal site until testing is done. Testing results will show if there is contamination from Central Metal in your yard. Aside from Central Metal, there may be other exposures to metals in the environment, such as through automobile leaded gas, lead paint, fertilizers, among others. If you have any health-related questions related to exposure to metals, please contact Elena Hoeppner from the Los Angeles Department of Public Health at (626) 430-9822 or ehoeppner@ph.lacounty.gov.