Pasadena City Council
February 10, 2025

PRESENTATION ON STAFF ANALYSIS OF OPTIONS FOR HOME ENVIRONMENTAL TESTINGCity Council MeetingFebruary 10, 2025Item 8 Public Health DepartmentOngoing Engagement Efforts•Los Angeles County Debris Removal Task Force•Los Angeles County Wildfire Recovery –Health and Social Services Task Force>Environmental Health Impacts Subcommittee•California Department of Public Health Wildfire Recovery Task Force2 Public Health DepartmentOngoing Engagement Efforts•Los Angeles County Dept of Public Health is leading post-fire air, soil, and water assessment activities>Coordinate monitoring activities>Discuss gaps>Prioritize assessment activities>Identify additional partners•The intent is to>Understand what monitoring activities are underway>Provide a regional dashboard to share results of the research studies and other efforts>Engage impacted communities3 Public Health DepartmentOngoing Engagement Efforts•Two dozen independent studies launched to assess:>Indoor surfaces in homes>Indoor air in homes>Soil in yards>Soil in public spaces>Outdoor settled ash•Data collection leads>Academic partners>Public agencies such as LA County, AQMD, and Department of Toxic Substances Control•Full list of known studies is available at>http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/wildfire/post_fire_assessment_plan.htm4 Public Health DepartmentAQMD Mobile Monitoring•January 31 mobile survey conducted in the Eaton Fire area near cleanup and re-populated zones>Measured for air toxic metals and volatile organic compounds (VOCs)>Survey captures a snapshot in time>Used to identify pollutant hotspots and help identify stationary monitoring sites•Results show no elevated levels of:>Air toxic metals including lead and arsenic>VOCs including benzene5 Public Health Department
6 https://www.aqmd.gov/2025-wildfire-response
Public Health DepartmentCA Dept of Toxic Substances Control•On February 7, PPHD connected with California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) staff•DTSC is coordinating soil testing at sensitive sites throughout the region, such as schools and potentially parks•Testing is being planned, no additional information is available at this time7 Public Health DepartmentCleaning Removes Contaminants•Cleaning is highly recommended before testing•Caltech study demonstrated cleaning removed up to 90% of contaminants>Must wear personal protective equipment (tight-fitting mask, goggles, gloves)>Use wet methods for cleaningMist surfaces and wipeGently sweep floors and wet mop•$300 in FEMA assistance is available for cleanup•Use air purifiers & open windows when outdoor air quality allows•Contact a professional when needed8 Public Health DepartmentCity Council Direction to Staff“Return to City Council with the best plan for timely additional testing for the public to be able to assess environmental factors to assist residents in understanding the safety of homes within the City”9 Public Health DepartmentIntent Based on Direction•Seek improved access to indoor environmental testing for Pasadena homes•Focus on wildfire-related environmental hazards that pose the most significant threats to human health•Encourage residents to share test results publicly for the benefit of the broader community•Use available data to inform future city decision-making about environmental assessment10 Public Health DepartmentLegal Considerations•Legal considerations involved in City’s coordination of home testing>Scope of agreement required to enter premises (right-of-entry) for testing and for results to be shared publicly>Evaluation of City liability and scope of waiver to third party testing>Public disclosure of test results indicating detection of hazards (i.e. positive test) may impact property value potentially leading to challenges to the test results and other disputes11 Public Health DepartmentPotential Testing Process•Test for most hazardous toxic substances>Lead is a heavy metal entering the body primarily through inhalation of dust or ingestion in contaminated food, water, or soil>Asbestos is a fiber entering the body primarily through inhalation>Benzene is a chemical that can be absorbed by materials such as drywall and off-gas for days or weeks•EPA has determined no household level is considered safe for any of these substances•Determining “habitability” of homes would be fact-specific determination made by a court of law12 Public Health DepartmentPotential Testing Process•Asbestos fibers and dust with lead settle in undisturbed homes>For homes with no activity, surface level testing may be effective•In homes where there is frequent activity, asbestos fibers and dust with lead can remain suspended in air>For homes with frequent activity, air testing may be effective13 Public Health DepartmentPotential Testing Process•Professional consultants conduct an inspection of each home before prescribing level of testing and testing procedures•Relevant guidance for developing protocols on home testing is not available to the City•Questions that need resolution>Are more samples needed as square footage of homes increases?>Where in the home should samples be collected?>How many samples should be collected per room?>Can data from testing be used in determinations of “habitability”? How and by who?>If there is a positive test, how is remediation and retesting handled? What restrictions on “habitability” would result? •Further discussion is needed with professional consultants Public Health DepartmentAdditional Potential Toxins•Depending on a variety of factors (extreme smoke damage in the home, proximity to burned commercial or industrial structures, strong chemical odors, etc.), additional testing may be warranted for:>Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)>Other volatile organic compounds (VOCs)>Heavy metals such as mercury and arsenic>Hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) including dioxins and furans15 Public Health DepartmentConsultants•City can share list of certifications and qualifications that can help guide residents in the selection of a consultant for home testing•Pasadena Public Health Department does not have capability to conduct home testing program>Department does not operate an environmental monitoring or testing program>Department does not possess the required equipment, testing supplies, or access to certified laboratory>No staff have certifications to conduct testing Public Health DepartmentRange of Estimated Costs per Home•Range of consultant costs based on square footage, number of rooms, and amount of human activity in home>Home with no activity: Between $3K to $5K, per home Lead surface wipeAsbestos surface wipeBenzene air testingInspection and documentation>Home with activity: Between $2K to $4K, per homeLead surface wipeAsbestos air testingBenzene air testingInspection and documentation Public Health DepartmentPolicy Questions•Sample Size>QuestionsIf a City sponsored program is desired, how many homes should be tested citywide?Is there a minimum number of homes that should be tested per council district?•Eligibility>QuestionsWhat criteria should be considered for accessing any city coordinated testing?Are there any segments of the population that should be prioritized (i.e. families with children, those with medical conditions, older adults)? Public Health DepartmentPotential Staffing Needs•Depending on City Council direction, PPHD may need additional staffing to facilitate any desired city efforts in addition to any testing costs which City Council wishes to incur 19 Public Health DepartmentCurrent Efforts•Upcoming testing of 9 city facilities for lead and asbestos>Safety Office conducted air quality testing before reopening and all facilities were cleared>No evidence that any hazards are present City facilities to be tested:1. Pasadena Public Health2. Hastings Library3. Victory Park4. Santa Catalina Library5. Jefferson Library6. La Pintoresca Library7. Robinson Park Recreation Center8. Villa Parke Community Ctr9. Washington Park Community House>Goals of testingConfirm the facilities are safe for public and staffProvide baseline environmental data to share with the public Public Health DepartmentMap of City Facilities
21 Public Health DepartmentCurrent Efforts•Focus new sensors on gaps in PurpleAirnetwork•In addition, City is partnering with others to deploy air quality sensors for research purposes22 Snapshot taken of PurpleAir website 7:30am 2/9/25
Public Health DepartmentIncrease in Use of PurpleAir
23 Screenshot taken at 8pm 1/22/25
Screenshot taken at 7:30am 2/9/25
Public Health DepartmentCurrent Efforts•PPHD reached out to philanthropic organizations to request information about any initiatives that can support home testing•Responses received so far>They don’t offer financial support for home testing>They are unaware of other philanthropic efforts to fund home testing•Awaiting others to respond24 Public Health DepartmentBest City Paths for Home Testing•Private engagement of certified professionals>Resident pays for service directly>Through insurance, if available•Reach out to academic partners to request they expand or launch new efforts to support Pasadena needs•Engage philanthropy to request direct financial support for residents to support home testing•City-coordinated home testing using a third-party vendor is not recommended due to procedural, legal, and financial challenges25