News | Department of Angels | September 2025

Community Comes Together for Access to Free Lead Soil Testing

After the January 2025 fires, many LA County residents are still asking the same urgent question: Is my soil safe? According to the Department of Angels’ recent LA Fire Recovery Report, the vast majority of residents believe their property has some contamination, but over a third have not been able to access testing.

This past weekend, the Department of Angels and USC’s CLEAN program teamed up to help close that gap, hosting a free Community Soil Testing Day and resource fair at Loma Alta Park. Supported by the LA County Department of Public Health, Supervisor Kathryn Barger, California Department of Toxic Substances Control, and a wide network of community partners, the event brought together scientists, public health experts, and community-based organizations in an outdoor setting with food, music, and activities for all ages.