VERNON, Calif. (Dec. 3, 2015) — The California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) has begun the second phase of its cleanup of lead-contaminated soil around the Vernon facility of auto battery maker Exide Technologies, the agency said.
So far the DTSC has removed more than 10,000 tons of lead-contaminated soil from 186 residential yards in Boyle Heights, Maywood and East Los Angeles, all residential neighborhoods near the Exide plant, the agency said.
The DTSC secured $7 million in late August to fund a sampling and cleanup plan within a 1.7-mile radius of the Exide facility.
The agency has also required Exide to set aside approximately $26 million to safely close the facility, according to a Dec. 3 press release.