Reps. Sherman and Chu Urge FEMA to Tackle Toxic Soil after Wildfires

Congressman Brad Sherman (CA-32) and Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-28) are leading a coalition of 27 California Congressional Delegation Members in urging the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to take immediate action to address toxic soil contamination in the aftermath of the Eaton and Palisades Fires, which devastated large swaths of Los Angeles County.

In a letter sent to FEMA, the lawmakers call for a comprehensive soil testing and remediation program to support residents whose properties were destroyed or impacted by the fires.

The push follows alarming findings by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and an independent investigation by The L.A. Times, both of which revealed dangerous levels of lead and other toxic metals in soil cleared through federal debris removal operations.

According to recent testing, 27% of soil samples in the Eaton Fire burn area surpassed California’s residential lead standards. That number rose to 44% in areas that had not undergone additional scraping. The Times also reported lead levels at some locations to be more than three times above the state’s safety threshold. Nearly 16,000 structures were lost to the two fires combined.

“Thousands of homeowners, particularly in Altadena where nearly 96% of homes destroyed pre-date the 1978 ban on lead paint, now face the difficult choice of incurring the significant personal expense of soil testing and remediation, or living with the potential threat of long-term exposure to hazardous substances,” the lawmakers wrote. “Lead exposure, especially for children, can cause irreversible cognitive, developmental, and behavioral damage.”

The letter calls on FEMA to:

• Provide federal funding for voluntary, opt-in soil testing for affected property owners;
• Establish a remediation program for properties that exceed safety standards, including deploying crews for bioremediation or soil removal;
• Collaborate with federal and state health agencies to issue clear rebuilding and safety guidance for contaminated areas.

“Without these steps, disaster survivors are being left with an undue financial burden and potential health risks,” the letter states. “We urge you to act swiftly to ensure that the residents of Altadena, the Pacific Palisades, and surrounding communities can safely rebuild their homes and lives.”

The letter was co-signed by Representatives Brad Sherman, Robert Garcia, Raul Ruiz, Lateefah Simon, Ted Lieu, John Garamendi, and 21 other California lawmakers.

In response to the contamination concerns, Los Angeles County launched a county-funded soil testing program in May 2025 to offer free testing to residents in and downwind of the Eaton Fire burn area.