Residents of Los Angeles resort to utilizing natural methods to self-remediate fire-damaged soil

In the aftermath of the Eaton and Palisades blazes, federal and state disaster agencies refused to pay for testing soil for contaminants on scorched lots, leaving homeowners and communities to find their own solutions. In response, various organisations and individuals have taken it upon themselves to educate and empower residents to tackle soil contamination issues.

One such organisation is the Theodore Payne Foundation, which plans to hold an online version of a DIY soil remediation class in October. The workshop, led by SoilWise, was popular with roughly 40 people attending and many more on the waitlist. SoilWise, a landscaping, education, and consulting business, promotes the use of plants, compost, and other materials to combat soil contamination as a more environmentally friendly alternative to conventional methods.

The particulars of natural detoxification can be complex, but one method gaining attention is phytoremediation. This process involves using plants that can sequester heavy metals like lead, arsenic, and dioxins from contaminated soil. These plants often benefit from symbiotic microorganisms such as nickel-resistant bacteria and mycorrhizal fungi to improve their uptake effectiveness. Buckwheat, bush sunflower, saltbush, corn, squash, and cucumber are examples of plants that can be used in this process.

Another promising solution is the use of biochar, a charcoal-like material. Biochar has pores that can capture metals and has research indicating it can suck up PFAS, or so-called forever chemicals. Oyster mushrooms also show potential in breaking down contaminants such as hydrocarbons and cigarette butts.

Maru García, project lead for Prospering Backyards, has developed "healing toolkits" to deal with contaminants and held workshops addressing both practical and emotional concerns. One approach Prospering Backyards has tested is applying zeolites (the lead-trapping minerals) to the ground along with layers of mulch and compost to help reduce exposure to contaminants.

Unfortunately, the problem of soil contamination is not limited to areas affected by fires. For close to a century, a battery recycling plant released heavy metals into communities in South and East L.A., causing a community health crisis. More than 80% of soil samples tested in 2022 in Altadena and Pacific Palisades were above the 80 ppm threshold for lead, with Altadena posing a bigger problem due to the older housing stock built when homes were coated in leaded paint.

Lelas Stone, an attendee at a DIY soil remediation class, had a high lead level of 110 ppm in her soil and was advised not to cook eggs in their shells if the chickens peck in the soil. Lila Seidman, a planetary scientist, is concerned about the safety of an avocado tree she wants to plant at her home in Altadena due to potential contaminants in the soil from the Eaton fire.

In response to these concerns, researchers with USC began offering free soil testing for contaminants to L.A. County residents in March, focusing on screening for lead, a potent neurotoxin that's especially dangerous for children. The state classifies some mucked up soil in L.A. as hazardous waste, with some containing even thousands of parts per million (ppm).

As communities continue to grapple with the issue of soil contamination, DIY soil remediation workshops offer a glimmer of hope for homeowners seeking to take matters into their own hands. By learning about and implementing natural solutions, residents can help protect their families and the environment from the harmful effects of contaminated soil.