Exide Technologies, Inc. (Exide) owned and operated a lead-acid battery recycling factory in Vernon, California. The South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) issued Exide a permit under Title V of the Clean Air Act with limits on arsenic and lead emissions into the air, but recent findings show that Exide was emitting unacceptably high levels of lead and arsenic. Arsenic is a carcinogen, and lead is a neurotoxin that is particularly potent in children potentially having negative lifetime effects on development and behavior. For more than 30 years Exide polluted the surrounding predominantly low-income Latino communities. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and Department of Toxic and Substance Control (DTSC) confirmed that the impact area spreads at least 1.25 – 1.75 miles from the site, encompassing 10,000+ residential properties and over 110,000+ residents in East LA, Boyle Heights, Commerce, Bell Gardens, Vernon, Cudahy, Maywood, Bell and Huntington Park.
After years of our members and staff engaging with AQMD to implement regulation to clean up Exide Technologies, and push DTSC to shut down Exide, as of February 2015, the Department of Justice announced the permanent shutdown of Exide Technologies. EYCEJ has been working on environmental health and justice issues in the affected locations for more than a decade and has developed an expertise in leadership development, building partnerships and effectively influencing policies for a healthy environment. Although this is a huge victory, we must work to address comprehensive and efficient cleanup of all properties and communities directly impacted by Exide. This April, after immense pressure from community leaders, Governor Jerry Brown signed a $176.6 million appropriation to fund a first wave of massive soil sampling and cleanup in the impacted communities.
Home Lead Testing Authorization Form (Owner Occupied) ENGLISH & SPANISH
Home Lead Testing Authorization Form (Renter) ENGLISH & SPANISH
Media:
UNSETTLED: THE EXIDE STORY – 22 min. documentary by Bethany Mollenkof and Spencer Bakalar of the LA Times, featuring community leaders, including Modesta Carranza (EYCEJ Member from Boyle Heights) and mark! Lopez (EYCEJ Executive Director and Member from East LA).
Fox 11 News April 3, 2016 Midday Sunday: East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice
For more info from EYCEJ email us at info@eycej.org or cal 323.263.2113
Support the Growth of Our Movement with a Donation
Exide Technologies Inc.
#NoMoPlomo
Background:
Exide Technologies, Inc. (Exide) owned and operated a lead-acid battery recycling factory in Vernon, California. The South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) issued Exide a permit under Title V of the Clean Air Act with limits on arsenic and lead emissions into the air, but recent findings show that Exide was emitting unacceptably high levels of lead and arsenic. Arsenic is a carcinogen, and lead is a neurotoxin that is particularly potent in children potentially having negative lifetime effects on development and behavior. For more than 30 years Exide polluted the surrounding predominantly low-income Latino communities. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and Department of Toxic and Substance Control (DTSC) confirmed that the impact area spreads at least 1.25 – 1.75 miles from the site, encompassing 10,000+ residential properties and over 110,000+ residents in East LA, Boyle Heights, Commerce, Bell Gardens, Vernon, Cudahy, Maywood, Bell and Huntington Park.
After years of our members and staff engaging with AQMD to implement regulation to clean up Exide Technologies, and push DTSC to shut down Exide, as of February 2015, the Department of Justice announced the permanent shutdown of Exide Technologies. EYCEJ has been working on environmental health and justice issues in the affected locations for more than a decade and has developed an expertise in leadership development, building partnerships and effectively influencing policies for a healthy environment. Although this is a huge victory, we must work to address comprehensive and efficient cleanup of all properties and communities directly impacted by Exide. This April, after immense pressure from community leaders, Governor Jerry Brown signed a $176.6 million appropriation to fund a first wave of massive soil sampling and cleanup in the impacted communities.
EYCEJ Blog Posts on Exide:
Why You Won’t See EYCEJ at the LA Mayor’s Exide Event Tomorrow (March 11, 2016)
When “Caring for Kids” Becomes Convenient: Assuming Ignorance After Inaction (March 25, 2016)
More info on Exide Cleanup:
Department of Toxic Subtances Control Exide Page
Map of Communities Currently Eligible for Home Lead Testing
Home Lead Testing Authorization Form (Owner Occupied) ENGLISH & SPANISH
Home Lead Testing Authorization Form (Renter) ENGLISH & SPANISH
Media:
UNSETTLED: THE EXIDE STORY – 22 min. documentary by Bethany Mollenkof and Spencer Bakalar of the LA Times, featuring community leaders, including Modesta Carranza (EYCEJ Member from Boyle Heights) and mark! Lopez (EYCEJ Executive Director and Member from East LA). Fox 11 NewsMidday Sunday: East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice
For more info from EYCEJ email us at info@eycej.org or cal 323.263.2113
Support the Growth of Our Movement with a Donation
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