L.A. County Testing Finds Lead-Contaminated Soil At Homes Near Former Exide Plant

Los Angeles Times: County Soil Testing Finds Widespread Contamination Near Former Exide Plant
Los Angeles County public health officials who tested the soil outside 500 homes in the area surrounding the now-closed Exide battery recycling plant in Vernon found all but eight have levels of lead that will require cleanup. The findings came in a report released Tuesday by the county's Department of Public Health to the Board of Supervisors. The county test results mirror the findings of separate tests by the state, which have found that 99% of homes where soil was tested were in need of cleanup. (Sewell, 4/12)

The Sacramento Bee: Get The Lead Out: Despite Fears Of Lead Poisoning, It’s Still Here, But Rare
Warnings about lead exposure, especially among young children, have been around for decades. While lead has been banned from household paints, canned foods and gasoline, it remains an undetected danger in unsuspecting places. (Buck, 4/13)

The Sacramento Bee: Sacramento Councilman Wants Homes Near Gun Range Tested For Lead
Sacramento Councilman Jay Schenirer asked the city manager Monday to order tests of residential yards for lead contamination near a closed city gun range in Mangan Park where test records show the toxic substance leaked outside at high levels. Schenirer also requested that the city pursue soil tests around Mangan Park on 34th Avenue, where the gun range has stood for decades. The park, which is in Schenirer’s district, includes a playground, swimming pool and athletic fields used by families and soccer leagues. (Lillis, 4/12)