Toxic postfire soil in L.A. and FEMA’s failure to test properties

Soil testing conducted by The Times reveals government failures to ensure adequate cleanup of contamination after L.‍A.‍ fires.‍

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Special Report

FEMA said postfire soil in L.A. was safe. The Times tested it and the results were alarming After every major wildfire in California since 2007, disaster agencies have ordered cleanup crews to remove soil and perform testing as a precautionary measure. But officials abandoned this practice and didn't test for toxic substances in the soil of properties in Altadena and Pacific Palisades, after January's wildfires. How concerned should homeowners be? Read more

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