Los Angeles – Earlier this week, community-led testing revealed elevated levels of metals known to affect human health were present in the Los Angeles River after the Lineage Fire which covered the surrounding area in toxic smoke and put Angelenos at risk of serious health harms earlier this summer. 

Food & Water Watch Southern California Organizer Noah Ropp released the following statement:  

“Los Angeles has unfortunately shown a consistent lack of response to the Lineage Fire which has put Angelenos in the area at massive risk for months. As a city at the frontlines of the climate crisis and with dangerous infrastructure everywhere, we need robust emergency procedures and strong community protections that hold corporate polluters accountable and do not leave communities paying the price with their health and their wallets.”