Reps. Sherman, Friedman, Chu, and Whitesides Urge Federal Action to Protect Families from Pollutants after Wildfires
PASADENA, Calif. — On February 3rd, U.S. Representatives Brad Sherman (CA-32), Laura Friedman (CA-30), Judy Chu (CA-28), and George Whitesides (CA-27) called on the EPA to lead a new Joint Task Force to monitor the potential for dangerous pollution from Los Angeles’ recent wildfires. The Air Quality Index (AQI) does not measure pollutants that are dangerous to children and families including lead, chlorine, asbestos, and more.
"The Los Angeles wildfires not only destroyed homes and landscapes — they also released dangerous toxins like lead, chlorine, and other hazardous chemicals into our air," said Congressman Brad Sherman (CA-32). "That’s why I’m pleased to team up with Representatives Chu, Friedman, Whitesides and other key officials in calling for immediate federal action to address this dangerous public health crisis. Protecting our communities from these hidden threats is not optional -- it’s a responsibility we must meet with urgency and commitment."
“This isn’t an issue where we can hold our breath and expect it to go away. The reality is that Angelenos may be living with potentially dangerous pollutants in our air, water, and ground from these urban wildfires, and they deserve to know what is in the air that they’re breathing. They also deserve to be protected from it,” said Representative Laura Friedman (CA-30). “Today, we’re taking a critical step towards getting our residents that information and the tools they need to keep themselves and their loves ones safe.”
“As the two-phase Eaton Fire clean-up takes place, residents in and around devastated areas must have complete confidence that the air they are breathing, water they are drinking, and ground they are walking on is safe,” said Representative Judy Chu (CA-28). “Today we’re requesting EPA to take the lead in this effort by forming a task force together with federal, state, and local government to monitor the air, water, and soil quality in the LA area and test for pollutants that could be present after a fire in an urban area, like lead and chlorine, and we ask for this information to be communicated to the public regularly and transparently.”
The lawmakers were joined by Pasadena Vice Mayor Jess Rivas and Pasadena Public Health Director Manuel Carmona.