The Altadena homeowner says he was unable to return to his post-Arton fire due to dangerous toxins near the burned area.
According to a map made up of residents of Altadena affected by the flames, the results of the new test show an increase in lead levels in the homes still close to the brush site.
“We are present in disasters after disasters. If we don’t take all of these housing in Altadena, people will be very sick,” said Jane Lawton Moore, a community resident.
She is one of several residents awaiting the results of her house’s tests to measure her return. Her home survived the flames, but she hesitated to come back due to the potential contaminants.
Lawton Moore’s concerns prompted her to join Eaton Fire Residents United, a coalition of Altadena residents who share the results of indoor environment tests to compare them and compile them into a map.
“We have some serious concerns about what’s going on in each of these houses around us, and it’s spread to Pasadena and Sierra Madre,” she said. “Summer months are coming, and people will be inside during the really hot days.”
As of Wednesday, the Eaton Fire Resident United map showed that over 100 homes tested positive for leads. The heavy metal toxins are associated with serious health issues, including damage to the brain and nervous system, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
Also, Nicole Maccalla, who has not returned to Altadena’s home, works in Data Science and is part of the group.
Altadena real estate will first issue a reconstruction permit, more than three months after the destructive Eaton fire. Camilla Rambaldi reports NBC4 News at 4pm on April 9, 2025.
“97% of the homes are located in danger zones,” she said. “It’s nuts, right? And we’ll have you look at the map – it’s representative. It spreads from Pasadena, Altadena, Sierra Madre. It’s in the burn zone, outside the burn zone.”
Caltech is also releasing a study of test samples taken from 52 homes in the community, up to the fire area and Highland Park. The results show that lead was transported by fire and wind more than seven miles from the burn zone.
Los Angeles County also posted the results of soil testing in Altadena. These levels were found to exceed lead status standards in 80% of the samples collected.
To help residents, the LA County Board of Supervisors has passed a motion to conduct soil testing of homes within a mile radius of burns.
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