Central Los Angeles : Soil Near Homes to Be Tested for Oil Waste
Residents of six duplexes near Chinatown were briefed Wednesday on soil testing for hazardous chemicals around their homes by the Los Angeles city Housing Authority and a state environmental agency.
According to housing authority Executive Director Don Smith, a letter from a former resident led to the discovery of an early 1900s oil refinery and storage tanks constructed on the property where the William Mead Homes now stand.
The Southern Refining Co. and the Amalgamated Oil Co. were located south of Cardinal Street and were operated between 1903 and 1924.
Javier Hinojosa, a scientist for the state’s Department of Toxic Substances Control, said the technicians will begin taking samples in January from 80 locations on the site and will be looking for refinery waste products.
If toxic residues are found, Smith said, the worst-case scenario would be to demolish the buildings.
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