Home / Disasters and Accidents / Senator Padilla Tours Boyle Heights Disaster Site, Pushes EPA
Senator Padilla Tours Boyle Heights Disaster Site, Pushes EPA
15 Jul
Summary
- Senator Padilla urged EPA involvement in long-term contamination monitoring.
- Ammonia leak fears were unfounded; vapor was from cold air mixing.
- Over 85 million pounds of rotted food are being removed from the site.
Senator Alex Padilla recently toured the Boyle Heights warehouse disaster site, highlighting ongoing concerns about potential long-term environmental contamination. He urged the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to remain actively involved in monitoring air and water quality.
Fire Department officials clarified that initial fears of an ammonia leak were unfounded. They explained that a vapor cloud observed was simply cold air from the -10 degree Fahrenheit interior mixing with warm outside air when the doors opened, not an ammonia release.
The EPA is collaborating with local agencies on air monitoring and sampling for various pollutants. Meanwhile, crews are working around the clock to remove 85 million pounds of rotted food from the facility, a task complicated by the current heatwave which may worsen odors.
