News Release

T-18-2020
Meredith Williams, Director

Contact: Barbara Zumwalt
(916) 708-4303
Barbara.Zumwalt@dtsc.ca.gov

DTSC Statement on State Auditor’s Findings into the Management of Residential Cleanups in Exide Communities

SACRAMENTO – DTSC released the following statement regarding the release of the State Auditor’s findings into the management of residential cleanups in communities surrounding the former Exide facility in Vernon:

“The state is committed to ensuring the safety of our kids and our communities from toxic pollution including holding polluters accountable.

“DTSC will implement all recommendations provided by the State Auditor – many of which are already underway including prioritizing cleanup at the remaining daycare centers.

“The state has so far committed $260 million to the project, the largest residential cleanup in California’s history, and one of the biggest in the nation.

“DTSC is conducting cleanups at a faster rate and with more stringent standards than other residential lead cleanups across the nation. To date, DTSC has cleaned up more than 2,000 properties with the highest levels of lead and is on pace to complete more than 90 percent of the cleanups planned with this funding.

“We invite the community and other stakeholders to follow our progress in meeting these goals at dtsc.ca.gov/exide-audit. DTSC will continue to provide information and engage with communities in upcoming public forums.”

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FOR GENERAL INQUIRIES: Contact the Department of Toxic Substances Control by phone at (800) 728-6942 or visit www.dtsc.ca.gov. To report illegal handling, discharge, or disposal of hazardous waste, call the Waste Alert Hotline at (800) 698-6942.