Students returning to two elementary schools in Boyle Heights today could face elevated levels of lead following environmental testing linked to the Lineage warehouse fire. The Los Angeles Unified School District conducted extensive testing at 10 schools within a three-mile radius of the cold storage facility, which partially burned in June. At City Terrace Elementary and Christopher Dena Elementary, testing found lead levels above California’s acceptable threshold of 80 milligrams. LAUSD’s Office of Environmental Health and Safety conducted the latest testing Monday and compared the results with an 11th school located outside the three-mile radius, which served as a reference site. Despite the elevated readings at the two campuses, OEHS officials say all of the schools tested remain safe for occupancy. Officials also say the warehouse fire did not cause widespread residual contamination or create unsafe environmental conditions across LAUSD campuses. The district says it will continue monitoring the situation and evaluating the affected schools.
