
The city of Pasadena on Wednesday announced that after testing eight city facilities closest to the Eaton fire’s perimeter, asbestos was not detected and all lead measurements were below the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s thresholds for danger.
The city contracted with an industrial hygienist to conduct the testing out of an abundance of caution in the wake of the fire.
Asbestos was not detected, officials said, and all lead measurements were below the EPA’S level of 5 micrograms of lead per square foot, a strict standard that was established to protect children in homes and child care centers.
A city news released noted that testing at a final facility was set to take place this week.
In addition, the South Coast Air Quality Management District released its results of a Jan. 31 test, which found no elevated levels of heavy metals.
Officials did report some elevated levels of methane, possibly from gas leaks. They were found in Altadena. AQMD reported the results to utility agencies for further investigation. Measurement maps can be found at map.PurpleAir.com and fire.AirNow.gov, where real-time information for assessing air quality can be found.
“These initial facility and air monitoring test results are promising and should ease our worst fears about environmental impacts of wildfires,” Pasadena’s director of public health, Manuel Carmona, said in a statement. “More data is needed to make determinations about the potential risks to public health. The Pasadena Public Health Department continues to work with academic partners and county, state, and federal agencies to understand environmental impacts.”
Due to the results, the city amended the temporary leaf blower ban to allow power air blowers and air propelling devices outside of the Eaton fire perimeter and at least 50 feet from any fire damaged structure.


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