Demonstrators have protested against an expedited cleanup process that would involve using a beloved beach as a toxic waste sorting site This weekend, more than a hundred demonstrators protested against a new plan by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to use a local beach as a toxic waste sorting site, to process debris from the Palisades fire. They waved signs saying “Save Our Beaches” and “Sort Toxics at the Burn Site” as they walked up and down the path along Will Rogers state beach in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood, just outside Los Angeles.Their message? Wildfire debris isn’t just ash – it’s poison. “Asbestos, heavy metals, dioxins and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons will not remain contained,” a petition circulated by a local resident, Ashley Oelsen, says. “Toxic contaminants from the wildfire debris could leach into the soil and the waterways. Onshore winds will undoubtedly carry these hazardous particulates, compromising the air quality where people live, work an...
The EPA's expedited cleanup plan for the Palisades wildfire debris in Los Angeles has sparked protests, as it involves using a local beach as a toxic waste sorting site. Concerns include potential contamination of soil and water from hazardous materials like batteries. Despite the EPA's assurances of controlled measures, residents and environmentalists remain worried. The cleanup is divided into two phases: removing hazardous materials and then addressing remaining debris, with concerns over rushed processes potentially leading to errors. This situation is unprecedented due to the scale and complexity of the cleanup.
