2 South Gate industrial sites added to EPA Superfund list
Federal officials have added two former industrial areas in South Gate to a list of the nation's worst toxic sites.
The Southern Avenue Industrial Area site and Jervis B. Webb Co. site have excessive soil and groundwater contamination, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said Wednesday.
The two sites have been made part of the agency's Superfund List, which means that officials "will begin full-scale investigations of the contaminated soil and drinking water sources," said Jared Blumenfeld, the agency's regional administrator in the Pacific-Southwest area.
Businesses at the two locations were involved in metal fabrication and painting operations, according to federal officials. High levels of solvents used to clean metals were found.
The agency said 35 drinking water wells, which serve about 226,000 people, are within four miles of the contaminated areas.
With all Superfund sites, federal officials try to identify companies or people responsible for the contamination and require them to conduct or pay for cleanup operations.
ALSO:
Famed fashion icon Vidal Sassoon dead at 84
Kelly Thomas case: Two Fullerton cops ordered to stand trial
Republican San Diego mayor applauds Obama’s support of gay marriage
— Robert J. Lopez
Image: Map of South Gate. Credit: Times' Mapping L.A.
EDITOR'S PICKS:
