More Toxic Sites Found Along New Busway Route

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has identified 16 additional areas containing hazardous levels of arsenic and lead along a 14-mile busway under construction in the San Fernando Valley, officials said Tuesday.

Two weeks ago, the MTA found arsenic and lead at two construction sites near Pierce College. The latest findings, bringing the number of toxic sites to 20, are the final results from the 246 soil samples tested along the corridor between North Hollywood and Woodland Hills.

The contamination -- caused by rail companies dumping chemicals when the route was used as a railway -- poses no danger to homeowners, construction workers or passersby, said Jeanne Garcia, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Toxic Substances Control.

Most of the 20 sites had levels of arsenic between 100 to 200 parts per million. The state standard for acceptable levels of arsenic at industrial sites is 9 to 11 ppm.

But the toxic substances department has agreed to permit the MTA to reduce arsenic levels to a higher threshold, of 50 ppm because the soil will be paved over by the busway.

“There will be no exposure to humans,” said MTA environmental specialist Chris Liban.A hazardous level of lead was found at only one site, so it’s not a major issue, Garcia said.

Decontamination efforts that are underway will be completed by next week, according to the MTA. The cleanup is halting some construction but is not expected to delay the August 2005 opening.