Protocols are in place to protect the safety of students and staff from the impacts of the burned-out Lineage Logistics warehouse, according to a letter released by the Los Angeles Unified School District Friday.
The five-page letter to United Teachers Los Angeles came in response to a two-page letter from the president of the union representing the district’s teachers Thursday with 14 requests it should implement for safety.
In its response Friday, the district addressed the concerns expressed by UTLA President Gloria Martinez, providing details about its testing measures, noting its strategy was developed by a team of environmental scientists and experts.
“The plan was vetted with university partners, private sector environmental consultants, and public health officials. Once the results are available, the data will be shared with these experts for their review and will also be posted publicly. The district will implement additional measures if necessary,” according to LAUSD’s response.
LAUSD previously announced it expanded cleaning efforts with a focus on 54 schools within three miles of the Boyle Heights warehouse. District officials said the schools received deep cleaning, air purifiers were installed in every classroom and filters were replaced in all air-conditioning systems.
LAUSD Director of Environmental Health and Safety Carlos Torres stated that his office has led inspections and testing at all campuses, and found no evidence of hazardous conditions that would pose a risk to students or staff.
The district emphasized the health and safety of students, employees and families remains its highest priority. The district maintained it has taken proactive steps from the outset of the fire, which broke out at the warehouse on June 17. The fire burned for eight days before firefighters brought it under control.
The district enacted established environmental health and fire response protocols, consisting of site inspections, air quality monitoring, enhanced cleaning, HVAC system inspections and filtration, as well as third-party environmental assessment when appropriate.
In her letter, Martinez urged that the radius for the protocols should be expanded up to five-miles if necessary, ahead of the school year, which begins Wednesday.
“As schools prepare to reopen, this incident underscores the need for LAUSD to strengthen emergency preparedness, improve environmental health protections, and respond swiftly to public health threats near school facilities. No student, educator or school staff member should have to worry about their exposure to hazardous substances and toxins while in the classroom,” Martinez said in a statement.
“Eastside school communities deserve more than assurances — they deserve an actionable plan that puts their health and safety first. LAUSD must act with urgency before our classroom doors open and implement the demands we have presented to ensure our school communities are protected from preventable health risks,” Martinez added.
That same night, LA Unified in a statement to City News Service said it received the letter and was reviewing it carefully.
“At Los Angeles Unified, preparing for a safe return to school means following the science, listening to public health experts, and working hand-in-hand with our school communities to make informed decisions that protect students and employees,” LAUSD said in a statement.
“We will continue to follow the guidance of public health experts and take any additional actions necessary to ensure our schools are safe for students and staff as we begin the school year,” the statement continued.
The union raised concerns about contaminants such as ammonia, ash and other particulate matter that could cause health issues. ULTA urged the district to test as many areas, the soil, water and air around schools.
The union requested thorough cleaning of affected schools, the district provide clean water until testing is complete and plans to address vermin.
If a school is deemed unsafe, the union further requested for the district to transport students to schools that have been tested and cleared. They also asked for an increase in school nurses to monitor students for acute and chronic symptoms.
Lastly, the union called on the district to join it in demanding the permanent closure of the Lineage Logistics facility.
The district temporarily relocated summer programs at several schools near the warehouse during and immediately after the fire. LAUSD does not anticipate any relocations will be necessary when the school year begins.
District officials said school operations administrators have been working around the clock to develop contingency plans that can be implemented if conditions change.
The district has begun hosting a series of informational webinars for families in affected areas to provide updates from experts. Another webinar is scheduled for Monday.
Families with questions or requests for support are encouraged to call Los Angeles Unified Family Hotline at 213-443-1300. More information is available at east.lausd.org.
