California Officials Address Toxic Soil Contaminants at Site of Proposed Affordable Housing Development Project

Soil contamination issues have caused challenges for a proposed affordable housing development project that would be built on former industrial land in a city of Southern California. In late August, a California County Board of Supervisors and Housing Authority met to approve and execute a voluntary agreement to provide for activities that support the completion of due diligence and the environmental cleanup necessary to make the property suitable for development.

According to the County, a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment had unexpectedly discovered tetrachloroethylene, also known as PCE or PERC, in the soil. Tetrachloroethylene is a manufactured chemical that has been used widely for dry cleaning, as a chemical intermediate, metal degreaser, and as a component of some consumer products.

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has determined that tetrachloroethylene may reasonably be anticipated to be a carcinogen and the International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified it as a Group 2A carcinogen. Back in 1988, California designated PERC, under Prop 65, as known to cause cancer.

“In some cases, people can even be exposed to PERC thru a process known as vapor intrusion if they live or work in a building constructed above contaminated soil or groundwater,” said Joseph Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at LA Testing. “This occurs when the chemical migrates into the air of the structure through cracks and openings in the building’s foundation. At LA Testing, we provide environmental, vapor intrusion, and industrial hygiene testing and sampling supplies for tetrachloroethylene and many other industrial chemicals.”

To learn more about this or other environmental, air quality, occupational, health, and safety testing services, please visit www.LATesting.com, email  info@LATesting.com , or call (800) 755-1794.


About LA Testing
LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for indoor air quality testing of asbestos, mold, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash, and smoke damage, particulates, and other chemicals.  In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA-LAP, LLC (AIHA-LAP, LLC EMLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC IHLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC ELLAP), CDC ELITE, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health, and other states.  LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Huntington Beach, San Leandro, San Diego, and Ontario.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

LA Testing

(1) 856-303-2503

Contact via E-mail