Residents of Los Angeles resort to natural methods for self-cleanup of contaminated earth due to fire damage

In the aftermath of the Eaton and Palisades fires, the focus in Altadena has shifted from fire recovery to soil health. SoilWise, a landscaping, education, and consulting business, is at the forefront of this movement, aiming to educate and empower individuals to manage and remediate soil contamination.

SoilWise's Genesis Sandoval stresses the importance of understanding that removing topsoil is not real remediation, as it can merely move the problem from one place to another. Instead, the emphasis is on natural methods to combat soil contamination, which can be more environmentally friendly than conventional alternatives.

One such method is the use of biochar, a charcoal-like material. Biochar has pores that can capture metals, including PFAS, the so-called forever chemicals. Oyster mushrooms, too, have shown promise in breaking down contaminants such as hydrocarbons and cigarette butts.

The particulars of natural detoxification can be complex, and some minerals may be more effective at trapping certain contaminants than others. For instance, heavy metals such as lead don't break down, so they have to be trapped in certain types of plants, minerals, and compost. Prospering Backyards, an initiative addressing pollution, has found success using zeolites (lead-trapping minerals) along with layers of mulch and compost to reduce exposure to contaminants.

The concern over lead contamination is heightened in Altadena due to the older housing stock, where homes were coated in leaded paint. Some soil samples in Altadena have lead levels in the thousands, which the state classifies as hazardous waste. Lelas Stone, an attendee at SoilWise's workshop, had a high lead level of 110 ppm in her soil and was advised not to cook eggs from chickens that peck in the soil.

Researchers with USC began offering free soil contaminant testing to L.A. County residents after the Eaton and Palisades blazes, focusing on screening for lead, a potent neurotoxin. Most of the samples submitted so far fall below California's level of potential concern, 80 parts per million. However, Prospering Backyards found that more than 80% of soil samples tested in 2022 in South and East L.A. were above the 80 ppm threshold for lead.

Workshop attendees have been making "ecological filter socks" using materials like oak mulch and crushed oyster shells. These socks can absorb contaminants, but once they have done their job, they may pose a risk themselves and could potentially be composted in a "sacrificial zone."

The firestorms of January have put a spotlight on soil health as residents worry about the safety of their yards and home-grown produce. Workshops addressing emotional concerns, such as those led by Maru García, project lead for Prospering Backyards, have been well-received. In October, the Theodore Payne Foundation plans to hold an online version of the DIY soil remediation class.

Lila Seidman, a planetary scientist, is concerned about the safety of avocado trees she wants to plant in her fire-damaged Altadena home due to potential soil contaminants. Despite the concerns, the Newsom administration is downplaying concerns about soil testing post-fire cleanup.

Diniega, another workshop attendee, teared up recalling the first bee she saw in a seared Altadena neighborhood a month after the fire was put out. This resilience and the desire for a cleaner, safer environment are driving the efforts to combat soil contamination in Altadena.

Residents of Los Angeles resort to natural methods for self-cleanup of contaminated earth due to fire damage