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As summer approaches and beach fans flock to the coast, environmental groups warn that many of Los Angeles’ most popular beaches may not be safe.
After a Palisade fire burned more than 23,000 acres in January, toxic debris overshadowed several coastal communities. Currently, environmental groups say the sand contains harmful toxins.
Four months have passed since the fire, chunks of toxic debris remain in the storm drains. Not only are the pieces of houses, but electronic parts, car parts and other unknown materials. With an interest in public safety, the local conservationist who is also a mother spent $8,000 of her money testing the sand from multiple locations in Santa Monica Bay.
Conservation biologist Ashley Oleson, who spends time on the beach every day, said the wreckage has contaminated beaches and storm drains for months, poses a public health hazard.
“It’s shocking. I know it’s hard to believe that kids are playing here all the time. You can see them in this water,” Oleson said.
She confirmed the presence of toxic metals.
“This, yeah, I tested this specifically, and then lead, arsenic, mercury, chromium,” she said.
Concerned about wildlife and environmental impacts, Oleson tracks reactions to debris and speaks repeatedly at Santa Monica City Council meetings to encourage them to stop grooming the sand.
“This shard is left on the beach in the sun, so it’s really brittle. It’s broken into small, small pieces,” Oleson said. “They groom them with the beach – and it’s just a big rake. And because they’re doing this now, it’s brittle, you see they’re burning, pieces of wood are broken and spreading out.”
Olson began collecting sand samples 49 days before the agency conducted its own testing. She sent six important samples to the lab from January and February, comparing the data to the level of human health screening in California.
Kacey Montoya of KTLA 5 stands next to Santa Monica Bay conservation biologist Ashley Oleson, observing some debris left from the Palisade fire. (KTLA)
Her results showed that arsenic, chromium and mercury exceeded safe levels and increased further after two rain events. Lead levels were below screening thresholds, but she said there was no lead safe for children.
“We definitely don’t think it’s safe for children, especially with the behavior of mouths on the sand,” Oleson said.
The state’s Water Commission conducted its own test in late February to collect 15 samples from Santa Monica Bay, from Zuma Beach to Rat Beach. Arsenic levels exceeded the state’s safety threshold at all 15 locations. Leads were also present on all sites.
However, Los Angeles County Health Officials said these lead levels are below background levels and do not pose a risk to human health.
In a statement, authorities said: “Beach fans can now enter the seawater and replicate it on the sands of these areas, but they are still advised to avoid fire debris in the water, as fire debris can contain harmful substances.”
Jane Williams, executive director of Toxics in the California community, said she would not let her child be near the affected sand.
“I don’t want my kids to play with that sand. I don’t want that sand in that sandbox,” Williams said.
Jane Williams, executive director of Toxic in the California community, tells KTLA about the toxic debris left on local beaches following the Palisade fire.
She argued that the metrics the county is using are outdated, especially after the Environmental Protection Agency tightened decades-old standards for lead dust exposure in January.
“Well, the latest EPA standards for indoor lead exposure are zero. The latest disease control guidance document for lead exposure is zero,” Williams said.
She also noted that arsenic, like lead, is more dangerous than previously thought.
“Arsenic is similar to lead except that it is not only a neurotoxin, but also carcinogenic,” she said. “And this is probably something the nation should rethink and develop new guidance.”
Williams and Oleson said authorities need to communicate better by posting warning signs on the beach and warning visitors about rising toxic metal levels.
“I’m still seeing so many debris. This could be removed manually from here and the kids play every day,” Oleson said. “And at this point I don’t understand how it will be accepted. The burnt-out house in Malibu still sits on the edge of the water, leaching all sorts of things directly onto the coast.
Los Angeles County health officials refused to speak on camera. The city of Santa Monica did not respond to a request for comment.
Authorities have not previously tested Santa Monica Bay Beach for toxic metals. In other words, there are no benchmarks to compare current results. They used the results of previous California wildfires instead, but some experts say it’s not an exact comparison. Please note that wildfires in the city like Palisades reaching these beaches are unprecedented.
The latest tests showed arsenic levels above what the nation thinks is safe. Officials have argued that these are within natural levels, but experts have disputed it.
Exposure to these toxins may not cause immediate symptoms, but may increase the risk of long-term health problems.
County officials said they plan to test it again before anniversary.
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