Safety
As part of our ongoing commitment to safety during our community’s recovery from the Eaton Fire, this page is updated regularly to provide information and resources.
Soil Test Results – May 2025
PUSD is pleased to report that several schools have been fully cleared, with no elevated levels of harmful fire-related substances detected in soil samples. The full list of schools can be found below.
PUSD is pleased to report that several schools have been fully cleared, with no elevated levels of harmful fire-related substances detected in soil samples. As a result, outdoor playfields and bare dirt areas at those campuses will fully reopen. Normal operations – including recess, PE classes, and athletic team practices – will resume immediately at these locations.
However, in the spirit of full transparency, some school sites did show elevated levels of certain substances in specific outdoor areas. The district is taking immediate, proactive steps to address them.
See the state's fact sheet about lead screening levels
Key actions underway include:
- Continued restriction of access to affected outdoor areas until remediation is complete.
- Ongoing collaboration with local and state health and environmental agencies, including the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and the Pasadena Public Health Department, to review test results and, if necessary, develop safe, science-based remediation plans that will protect our students and employees.
- Conduct additional soil testing and remediation where needed to maintain and ensure safety.
- Individual school notifications will include summaries, maps of affected areas, and timelines for resolution.
- While the results for heavy metals like lead are in, other results may take longer. Maps will be updated as new data becomes available.
- Updates will be posted here as soon as they are ready.
Messages
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why is it taking longer to get PUSD’s soil test results?
- Why did the district conduct testing?
- What did PUSD test for?
- Who conducted the tests and analyzed the results?
- What were the results?
- What happens if elevated levels are found?
- Were students and staff exposed?
- How will families and staff be notified if elevated levels are found at their school?
- What if no elevated levels were found?
- Why are some results available, while others are not?
- If elevated levels were detected, will instruction be impacted?
- Where can I get more information or updates?
Why is it taking longer to get PUSD’s soil test results?
When Los Angeles County’s soil testing showed elevated levels of lead in areas near the burn zone, PUSD moved forward with conducting its own soil testing. While lead was a principal concern, PUSD consulted with local and state health and environmental agencies and conducted testing of other heavy metals, PAHs, dioxins/furans, and asbestos. This comprehensive approach took additional time, but it reflected our commitment to ensuring a clear, complete understanding of potentially fire-affected site conditions before reopening outdoor areas.
Why did the district conduct testing?
PUSD conducted soil testing in response to findings released in April by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LADPH) regarding elevated lead levels in soil samples collected near the Eaton Fire burn area and after consultation with local and state health and environmental agencies, including the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and the Pasadena Public Health Department. Working with these experts is part of the district’s ongoing commitment to the safety of students and employees.
What did PUSD test for?
PUSD’s sampling strategies and locations followed best practices and the protocol used in the residential parcel sampling conducted by Los Angeles County Public Health, including surface (0–1 inch) sampling of bare soil areas such as gardens, fields, and play spaces.
Each sample was tested for the following:
- Heavy Metals, including Lead, Arsenic, Cadmium, Chromium , Copper, Nickel, and Zinc.
- Asbestos fibers.
A subset of samples based on location and sensitive areas, approximately 25% per campus, were selected for analysis of the following:
- Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)
- Dioxins and Furans
Who conducted the tests and analyzed the results?
Verdantas, a state-licensed environmental consulting firm, conducted soil sampling and analysis, following state and federal environmental and public health guidelines. Additionally, certified National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (NELAP) laboratories completed all soil analytical services.
What were the results?
- At a number of school campuses, no elevated levels of fire-related substances were detected, and no further action is needed.
- At other locations, elevated levels of certain fire-related substances were detected. These areas will be addressed through ongoing investigation, and if necessary, targeted remediation of impacted soil will be performed.
- While the results for heavy metals like lead are in, other results may take longer. Maps will be updated as new data becomes available. Updates will be posted at pusd.us/firerelief-safety as soon as they are ready.
What happens if elevated levels are found?
Were students and staff exposed?
How will families and staff be notified if elevated levels are found at their school?
If elevated levels were found:
- Families and staff at that specific campus will receive direct notification from the district.
- Soil test results are available on the PUSD website at pusd.us/firerelief-safety.
What if no elevated levels were found?
Why are some results available, while others are not?
Schools were sampled in a systematic order, and testing is ongoing. The results are still being received from state-certified laboratories, and maps and full reports will be posted at pusd.us/firerelief-safety as they become available.
If elevated levels were detected, will instruction be impacted?
Where can I get more information or updates?
Visit the district website at pusd.us/firerelief-safety. Testing updates and results will be posted.
Anyone who is concerned about exposure to lead from wildfire can obtain blood lead testing for themselves, and their children, in one of three ways:
Visit Your Medical Provider
- Ask your doctor for a blood lead test.
- Testing is covered by most insurance plans, including Medi-Cal.
Go to a Quest Lab for a Free Blood Lead Test
- Dial 1-800-LA-4-LEAD to request a free appointment through Quest Labs.
- Simple, convenient, and confidential.
In-Person Mobile Blood Lead Testing
- For a limited time, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health will offer FREE mobile blood lead testing. Upcoming events are listed below. Additional events will be added in the months to come. More information can be found at the Fire Safety and Health information website.
See previous FAQ:
At Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD), the safety of our students and staff is our highest priority. Following the Eaton Fire and related soil health concerns identified by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, PUSD has completed a comprehensive round of soil testing at all school sites in partnership with a certified environmental consulting firm.
Several schools have been cleared and deemed safe for normal outdoor use, while others will undergo targeted remediation to ensure all outdoor areas meet health and safety standards.
We are committed to full transparency and swift action. Please explore the sections below for school-specific updates, safety measures, and answers to frequently asked questions.
Community Message
News Release
Soil Test Results
PUSD is pleased to report that several schools have been fully cleared, with no elevated levels of harmful fire-related substances detected in soil samples. The full list of schools can be found below.
PUSD is pleased to report that several schools have been fully cleared, with no elevated levels of harmful fire-related substances detected in soil samples. As a result, outdoor playfields and bare dirt areas at those campuses will fully reopen. Normal operations – including recess, PE classes, and athletic team practices – will resume immediately at these locations.
However, in the spirit of full transparency, some school sites did show elevated levels of certain substances in specific outdoor areas. The district is taking immediate, proactive steps to address them.
See the state's factsheet about lead screening levels
Key actions underway include:
- Continued restriction of access to affected outdoor areas until remediation is complete.
- Ongoing collaboration with local and state health and environmental agencies, including the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and the Pasadena Public Health Department, to review test results and, if necessary, develop safe, science-based remediation plans that will protect our students and employees.
- Conduct additional soil testing and remediation where needed to maintain and ensure safety.
- Individual school notifications will include summaries, maps of affected areas, and timelines for resolution.
- While the results for heavy metals like lead are in, other results may take longer. Maps will be updated as new data becomes available.
- Updates will be posted here as soon as they are ready.
- Allendale ES
- Altadena ES
- Blair MS & HS
- Don Benito Fundamental School
- Field ES
- Hamilton ES
- Jackson STEM
- Jefferson CC
- John Muir HS
- Longfellow ES
- Madison ES
- Marshall Secondary
- McKinley School
- Norma Coombs ES
- Octavia E. Butler Magnet
- Pasadena HS
- San Rafael ES
- Sierra Madre ES
- Sierra Madre MS
- Washington ES
- Washington Children's Center
- Webster ES
- Willard ES
- Wilson Campus: Aveson, CIS, PALs, Rose City HS, Twilight and Willard Children's Center
- Education Center
- District Service Center
- Audubon Campus: Odyssey Charter
- Burbank campus: Stratford (private)
- Cleveland Campus: Aveson and Alma Fuerte Charter
- Hodges
- La Casita
- Linda Vista Campus
Allendale ES
Altadena ES
Blair MS & HS
Don Benito Fundamental School
Field ES
Hamilton ES
Jackson STEM
Jefferson CC
John Muir HS
Longfellow ES
Madison ES
Marshall Secondary
McKinley School
Norma Coombs ES
Octavia E. Butler Magnet
Pasadena HS
San Rafael ES
Sierra Madre ES
Sierra Madre MS
Washington ES
Washington Children's Center
Webster ES
Willard ES
Wilson Campus: Aveson, CIS, PALs, Rose City HS, Twilight and Willard Children's Center
Education Center
District Service Center
Audubon Campus: Odyssey Charter
Burbank campus: Stratford (private)
Cleveland Campus: Aveson and Alma Fuerte Charter
Hodges
La Casita
Linda Vista Campus
Post-Eaton Fire Safety
Soil Testing Plan
Soil Testing Plan
In response to findings released in April 2025 by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health regarding elevated lead levels in soil samples collected near the Eaton Fire burn area, in May 2025, the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) conducted independent outdoor soil testing at all campuses. This initiative was part of the district’s ongoing commitment to the safety of students and employees.
The LA County Public Health Department’s findings were not from school grounds. In consultation with state environmental safety and public health agencies, PUSD schools remained open, with the areas where students and employees spend time daily, such as grass fields, astroturf, mulch, and gravel, considered safe for children and adults. The primary concern was with bare soil, which is limited across our campuses and district properties.
Community Messages
Frequently Asked Questions
View All
- Why is it taking longer to get PUSD’s soil test results? The City of Pasadena already completed testing, released results, and reopened parks.
- When is testing taking place?
- Which schools will be tested?
- Why didn’t soil testing occur before schools reopened?
- What is PUSD testing for?
- Who is conducting the tests?
- How long will the soil testing take at each school site?
- When will the results be available?
- How will results be shared?
- What happens if elevated levels are found?
- How is PUSD working with state and local agencies?
- What about outdoor activities, such as sports events?
- Where can I get more information or updates?
Why is it taking longer to get PUSD’s soil test results? The City of Pasadena already completed testing, released results, and reopened parks.
When Los Angeles County’s soil testing showed elevated levels of lead in areas near the burn zone, PUSD moved forward with conducting its own precautionary soil testing. While lead was the principal concern, PUSD is conducting testing of heavy metals, PAHs, dioxins/furans, and asbestos. This comprehensive approach does take additional time, but it reflects our commitment to ensuring a clear, complete understanding of site conditions before reopening outdoor areas.
When is testing taking place?
Which schools will be tested?
Why didn’t soil testing occur before schools reopened?
PUSD reopened schools by January 30, 2025, in coordination with local public health authorities, which did not issue restrictions or indicate unsafe conditions on school campuses. Lead can be present in soil for a number of reasons. For more information, visit https://oehha.ca.gov/media/downloads/risk-assessment/fact-sheet/leadfactsheet.pdf
What is PUSD testing for?
PUSD’s sampling strategies and locations will follow best practices and the protocol used in the residential parcel sampling conducted by Los Angeles County Public Health, including surface (0–1 inch) composite sampling of bare soil areas such as gardens, fields, and play spaces.
Samples will be tested for the following:
- Metals: Lead, Arsenic, Cadmium, Chromium (total and Hexavalent), Copper, Nickel, Zinc
- Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)
- Dioxins and Furans
- Asbestos fibers
Who is conducting the tests?
How long will the soil testing take at each school site?
When will the results be available?
Due to the number of samples and data validation process, test results can be expected approximately four weeks after sample collection. PUSD will release the results to the public, along with any recommended remediation plans if needed, as soon as they are finalized. While awaiting test results, schools continue to be safe to use and/or visit.
How will results be shared?
PUSD will notify the families and staff of each school where testing occurs. All soil test results and corresponding remediation actions, if needed, will be posted publicly on the PUSD website at pusd.us/firerelief-safety
What happens if elevated levels are found?
PUSD is working closely with the California Environmental Protection Agency and the Pasadena Public Health Department. If soil samples show elevated levels, the district will take immediate appropriate action to protect students and staff. Possible remediation may include removing or capping contaminated soil, restricting access to specific outdoor areas, or other solutions recommended by public health experts.
How is PUSD working with state and local agencies?
What about outdoor activities, such as sports events?
As part of the soil testing process at school sites, all areas with bare dirt – including athletic fields – will be temporarily closed out of an abundance of caution. This is a precaution to ensure the safety of students and employees while testing is conducted. Areas with safe ground cover like grass, rocks, mulch, or wood chips, as well as improved surfaces – such as concrete or asphalt – may remain open and available for use, following guidance from the Pasadena Public Health Department.
Although only a few athletic teams typically use bare dirt fields, the district understands how important these spaces are for practices and competitions. To minimize any disruptions, PUSD has proactively identified alternative locations so that PUSD athletic activities can continue as planned. The district is committed to supporting our student-athletes and their families during this time. We are working closely with school administrators to ensure that every team has the space and resources they need.
To enforce these temporary closures, all bare dirt areas will be blocked off using signs, fencing, or other barriers.
Where can I get more information or updates?
Visit the district website at pusd.us/firerelief-safety. Testing updates and results will be posted.
Anyone who is concerned about exposure to lead from wildfire can obtain blood lead testing for themselves, and their children, in one of three ways:
Visit Your Medical Provider
- Ask your doctor for a blood lead test.
- Testing is covered by most insurance plans, including Medi-Cal.
Go to a Quest Lab for a Free Blood Lead Test
- Dial 1-800-LA-4-LEAD to request a free appointment through Quest Labs.
- Simple, convenient, and confidential.
In-Person Mobile Blood Lead Testing
- For a limited time, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health will offer FREE mobile blood lead testing. Upcoming events are listed below. Additional events will be added in the months to come. More information can be found at the Fire Safety and Health information website.
Date: Sunday, April 27
Time: 12 to 5 pm
Location: Eaton Health Village/Pasadena Seventh Day Adventist Church 1280 E. Washington Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91104
Resources
Anyone who is concerned about exposure to lead from wildfire can obtain blood lead testing for themselves and their children in one of three ways:
- Visit Your Medical Provider
- Go to a Quest Lab for a Free Blood Lead Test
- In-Person Mobile Blood Lead Testing
Visit Your Medical Provider
Go to a Quest Lab for a Free Blood Lead Test
In-Person Mobile Blood Lead Testing
For a limited time, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health will offer FREE mobile blood lead testing. Upcoming events are listed below. Additional events will be added in the months to come. More information can be found at the Fire Safety and Health information website.
Date: Sunday, April 27
Time: 12 to 5 pm
Location: Eaton Health Village/Pasadena Seventh Day Adventist Church 1280 E. Washington Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91104
Public Health Dept.
Pasadena Public Health
LA County Public Health
LA Public Health Department Information on Schools
On March 17, LAPHD issued information about schools and education settings in the Palisades and Eaton zones. The new guidance affirms the practices that PUSD put into place before reopening schools:
Read More
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PUSD custodial staff has been trained and conducts regular inspections and cleaning of outdoor areas, playgrounds, and play/sports equipment to ensure prompt removal of any ash or debris that may accumulate.
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Since COVID, PUSD has maintained hospital-grade air filters in every classroom and learning space. Filters are changed twice a year.
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PUSD monitors weather, wind, and air quality conditions and issues notifications daily to schools with directions to adjust outdoor activities accordingly.
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PUSD contracted with professional remediation experts to clean, sanitize, and test schools before reopening campuses and offices. Test results are posted at pusd.us/fire-relief/safety We are in discussions with state and local agencies to add further layers of testing to continue to ensure the safety of our campuses.
School Test Reports - Before Reopening
Before reopening schools in January 2025, as a precautionary measure, PUSD hired Envirocheck, a certified environmental testing provider, to assess soot, char, ash, and pH levels within the impacted buildings. View the reports for individual schools below. For questions on the testing methodology, please view our Frequently Asked Questions below.
The reports makes note of “other” components observed in the sample, if present. These can include everyday indoor dust elements. An “X” in this category does not mean that abnormal presences were detected, simply that some amount was observed.
- Safety Fact Sheet
- Eaton Fire Response: Environmental Testing FAQ’s
- School Test Reports
- Informes de pruebas escolares
Safety Fact Sheet
February 4, 2025
General
- All Pasadena Unified School District sites were cleaned, sanitized, and pass environmental tests before reopening. This included 33 sites: PUSD schools, offices, and the service center, as well as campuses to be occupied by charter schools.
- In addition to PUSD Maintenance and Operations staff, a specialized contractor undertook the cleaning involving more than 1,500 workers.
- To date, 162 tons of debris have been removed from district sites
- On return to school, masks were available to students and staff
Exteriors
- Commercial sweeping of all playground surfaces
- Pressure washing and sanitizing of all play equipment
- Pressure washing of all rubber playground surfaces
- Pressure washing all building walls facing playground areas
- Raking & vacuuming of all artificial turf
- Removal of all large and visible particulates in play areas with wood chips and sand
- Removal of the first 2 inches of sand in play areas and refilled with new sand
Interiors
- “HEPA sandwich cleaning method” (HEPA vacuum, wet-wipe, and HEPA vacuum) on all exposed horizontal and vertical surfaces
- Areas cleaned: floors, walls, tops of furniture, tops of fixtures, architectural ledges, wall panels and other items displaying signs of particulate settlement
- Install new air filtration
- HEPA vacuum surface of books and verticals
- Blowers to dry floors and surfaces
- (HEPA: High-Efficiency Particulate Air filters 99.97% of particles, as in medical settings)
Process
- During cleaning, regulated work areas were set up to prevent cross-contamination.
- Provisions for worker safety were observed, including HEPA filtering aerosolized particulates
- Cleaning procedures were implemented across all 33 sites, which includes PUSD schools, charter schools on district sites, and other district sites
- All work was performed in consultation and collaboration with:
- California Department of Education
- California Department of Emergency Services
- Los Angeles County Public Health Department
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- Pasadena Unified has consulted with our public health agencies and met with officials from the California Office of Emergency Services, the California Department of Education, and the L.A. County Office of Education about efforts to safely reopen schools.
Post Cleaning Testing & Evaluation
- Sites were inspected by third-party environmental consultants before being cleared for reopening, with additional cleaning as needed.
- Final reports from environmental consultants were posted on our website pusd.us/firerelief-safety See the Environmental Testing FAQ
- While environmental testing is not required after wildfire cleanup, PUSD proactively undertook these measures as a precautionary step, demonstrating an abundance of caution for the well-being of our school community.
- The Environmental Reports/test results also make note of “other” components observed in the sample, if present. These can include everyday indoor dust elements like skin cells, insect fragments, pollen, mold spores, sand, fibers from construction materials and paint. An “X” in this category does not mean that abnormal presences were detected, simply that some amount was observed.
- Following recommendations from an industrial hygienist and in collaboration with the California Department of Education, California Department of Emergency Services, Los Angeles County Public Health Department, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, soil tests were not conducted. However, out of an abundance of caution, our contractor removed the top two inches of sand from playgrounds and irrigated the school fields.
- The AQMD monitors for lead, asbestos and other toxic substances in the air as part of their ongoing program. Officials from AQMD report that lead and asbestos levels in the Los Angeles Basin have returned to pre-fire background levels.
- The district will monitor daily air quality using California Department of Public Health guidelines. When air quality concerns arise, administrators will be promptly notified and will implement established air contaminant emergency procedures, which include keeping students indoors, restricting outdoor activities and providing additional monitoring for students with pre-existing heart or lung conditions.
For Immediate Release
January 28, 2025
PUSD Releases Environmental Testing Results for Schools Impacted by Wildfires
Extensive Report May Include “Other” Potential Common Indoor Dust Elements
Pasadena, CA (Jan. 28, 2025) - The Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) today announced the release of environmental testing results for schools affected by the recent Eaton Fire. As a precautionary measure, PUSD hired Envirocheck, a certified environmental testing provider, to assess soot, char, ash, and pH levels within the impacted buildings.
Envirocheck conducted extensive tests at various locations within the affected school buildings, including door handles, lobby desktops, cabinet tops, tops of storage shelves, center carpets, and cabinet tops at windows. This comprehensive approach ensured a thorough assessment of potential contamination. The testing followed industry-standard protocols and used state-of-the-art equipment to measure fire-related contaminants with high precision.
“Our top priority is the safety and well-being of our students, employees and school communities,” said PUSD Superintendent Elizabeth Blanco. “We recognize the concerns about wildfire impacts and are committed to providing transparent and timely information. We encourage everyone to review the test results and FAQs on our website.”
The report also makes note of “other” components observed in the sample, if present. These can include everyday indoor dust elements like skin cells, insect fragments, pollen, mold spores, sand, fibers from construction materials and paint. An “X” in this category does not mean that abnormal presences were detected, simply that some amount was observed.
Following recommendations from an industrial hygienist and in collaboration with the California Department of Education, California Department of Emergency Services, Los Angeles County Public Health Department, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, soil tests were not conducted. However, out of an abundance of caution, our contractor removed the top two inches of sand from playgrounds and irrigated the school fields. The AQMD monitors for lead, asbestos and other toxic substances in the air as part of their ongoing program. Officials from AQMD report that lead and asbestos levels in the Los Angeles Basin have returned to pre-fire background levels.
The district will monitor daily air quality using California Department of Public Health guidelines. When air quality concerns arise, administrators will be promptly notified and will implement established air contaminant emergency procedures, which include keeping students indoors, restricting outdoor activities and providing additional monitoring for students with pre-existing heart or lung conditions.
The detailed test results and reports are now available for public viewing on the district’s website: pusd.us/firerelief-safety.
To address community concerns and provide transparent information, we have also compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) related to the testing methodology. The FAQ is available on the district’s website: pusd.us/firerelief-safety
Extensive Cleaning and Remediation Efforts Undertaken
Prior to reopening, all sites, including PUSD schools, offices, and the service center, as well as campuses occupied by charter schools, underwent rigorous cleaning and sanitization procedures. More than 1,500 workers, including PUSD Maintenance and Operations staff and a specialized contractor, were involved in the cleaning process. To date, 159 tons of debris have been removed from district sites.
Prioritizing Safety and Collaboration
During the cleaning process, regulated work areas were established to prevent cross-contamination, and strict worker safety protocols were observed, including HEPA filtering of aerosolized particulates.
PUSD collaborated with various agencies throughout the remediation process, including the California Department of Education, California Department of Emergency Services, Los Angeles County Public Health Department, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Eaton Fire Response: Environmental Testing FAQ’s
- 1. What is the potential impact of wildfire smoke?
- 2. What is testing for?
- 3. What does CBP testing detect?
- 4. The laboratory data also lists other “Components”, what are those?
- 5. What are the thresholds for CBP in settled dust?
- 6. What is pH? What is normal pH for settled dust?
- 7. Can you provide a list of acronyms used in the laboratory data?
- 8. How does PUSD monitor air quality?
- 9. Why was soil testing not conducted?
- 10. How are lead and asbestos monitored?
1. What is the potential impact of wildfire smoke?
A.) Smoke from wildfires can travel great distances. The direction and distance of travel depends on the strength of weather conditions during the fire. Particulates in the smoke will settle out of the air and land on surfaces around the fire, with the highest concentrations being in areas closest to the fire. In general, exterior surfaces are likely to sustain the most significant impact from wildfires, though particulates can enter buildings through openings in the building (windows, doors, vents, etc.) and tend to settle on nearby surfaces.
2. What is testing for?
3. What does CBP testing detect?
A.) Combustion By-Product (CBP) samples are analyzed in a laboratory for char, ash and soot presence. These are used as markers for potential wildfire impact.
Char: an incomplete combustion of solids in a high heat environment; in which, solids are partially burned with a visible blackened surface.
Ash: a light, silvery-gray powdery residue left after the burning of a substance.
Soot: a black powdery or flaky substance formed by an incomplete burning of a substance.
4. The laboratory data also lists other “Components”, what are those?
A.) During analysis, the laboratory may make note of other components observed in the sample, if present. This information can be useful in non-standard fire assessments, where an unknown dust / debris accumulation is observed. An “X” in a category does not mean that abnormal presences were detected, simply that some amount was observed. Naturally occurring indoor dust can consist of a variety of constituents, including skin flakes, insect fragments, pollen, mold spores, sand, fibers from construction materials and paint. If there is no X in this category, this would indicate that the particular material was not observed.
5. What are the thresholds for CBP in settled dust?
A.) Currently, there are no regulated levels or standards regarding the presence of ash, char or soot in settled dust for indoor environments. Minor presences can, and do, occur naturally in standard indoor environments. CBP can occur due to emissions from fireplaces, bonfires, wood-burning ovens, combustion engines, and barbeques, among other potential secondary sources, which also emit CBP.
The goal for the assessment is to confirm that cleaning efforts have addressed any significant presences of wildfire-related particulates and reduce the presences (if any) to trace or background amounts.
6. What is pH? What is normal pH for settled dust?
A.) pH measures how acidic or alkaline (basic) a substance is. The pH scale ranges from 0 (most acidic) to 14 (most basic). A 7 on the scale is considered to be neutral. Normal indoor settled dust is relatively neutral (around 7). Fresh and concentrated ash from burned vegetation has a relatively high pH (11-13). Measuring for pH is not exclusive to wildfire debris, but has been included in this assessment to measure the potential ability of settled dust to affect other materials (whether wildfire related or not).
7. Can you provide a list of acronyms used in the laboratory data?
A.) Please see below.
- CBP (Combustion By-Product): Char, ash and soot
- LOD (Limit of Detection): The smallest concentration in a sample that can be reliably detected by a method of analysis
- LOQ (Limit of Quantitation): The smallest concentration in a sample that can be reliably measured / quantified by a method of analysis
- PLM: Polarized light microscope
- N.D. (Non-Detect): Not found in a high enough concentration for the laboratory equipment to detect
- RLM: Reflected light microscope
- SEM: Scanning electron microscope
- TEM: Transmission electron microscope
- <1%: Some amount of the substance was observed during the analysis, but at a concentration below the limit of detection (1%).
8. How does PUSD monitor air quality?
A.) The district will monitor daily air quality using California Department of Public Health guidelines. When air quality concerns arise, administrators will be promptly notified and will implement established air contaminant emergency procedures, which include keeping students indoors, restricting outdoor activities and providing additional monitoring for students with pre-existing heart or lung conditions.
9. Why was soil testing not conducted?
A.) Following recommendations from an industrial hygienist and in collaboration with the California Department of Education, California Department of Emergency Services, Los Angeles County Public Health Department, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, soil tests were not conducted. However, out of an abundance of caution, our contractor removed the top two inches of sand from playgrounds and irrigated the school fields.