Exide Battery Recycler Cleanup Fails to Meet Safety Standards, Leaving Lead Contamination in Southeast L.A.
A recent study has revealed that despite a decade-long cleanup effort costing over $700 million, nearly three-quarters of homes near the former Exide Technologies battery recycling plant in Southeast Los Angeles County still have lead levels exceeding California's safety standards. The Exide plant, which was permanently closed in 2015, had contaminated up to 10,000 properties with toxic lead dust. The California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) initiated a cleanup in 2016, aiming to remove up to 18 inches of contaminated soil from affected properties. However, a review by university researchers and a local environmental health organization found that many homes still have unsafe lead levels, particularly in areas inaccessible to heavy machinery. The study, published in Environmental Science & Technology, highlights significant flaws in the cleanup process, which could pose ongoing health risks, especially to children.