July 18, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

New Testing Reportedly Finds Illegal Levels Of Toxins At Malibu Schools:

Two groups urged the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) last week to reject a plan reportedly offered by the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) to maintain a 15-year status quo after a new round of testing purportedly revealed “illegal levels of a toxic compound dramatically higher than previously reported” at district-operated schools in Malibu.

According to a statement released by Malibu Unites and Washington D.C. based Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) on July 17, new testing at Malibu Middle and High Schools as well as Juan Cabrillo Elementary School reportedly found toxic elements that were apparently as much as 7,400 times higher than legal limits.

As a result of the purported testing, a reported formal request by the SMMUSD to the EPA to allow polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) found inside the three Malibu schools to remain as is for as long as 15 years was challenged by PEER and Malibu Unites.

In response, Sandra Lyon, superintendent of the SMMUSD, issued a letter to the community claiming she thoroughly reviewed the latest reported testing and the district would continue to implement its own comprehensive testing in accordance with standards set by the EPA and Dept. of Toxic Substances and Control (DTSC).

“From the outset, I stated honestly and publicly that we are not health or environmental health experts; we will rely on the expertise and advice of the EPA and DTSC,” Lyon stated in her community letter dated July 18. “I plan to continue implementing the comprehensive testing and cleaning plans reviewed and accepted by the EPA and DTSC, and we are continuing to develop contingency plans, should they be necessary.

“These agencies are fully aware that PCBs were used in caulk in many, many public buildings built between the years of 1950-1979,” she continued. “The EPA has consistently urged that our testing plan determine whether there are harmful routes of exposure to those PCBs, since that is what will inform us as to whether or not there are health concerns.”

The reported test comes on the heels of teachers at the three schools claiming the exposure to toxic elements at each respective campus has resulted in multiple cases of thyroid cancer or diseases and complaints of hair loss, migraines, rashes, and other symptoms.

“PCBs are classified as a group 1 carcinogen and are linked with serious health effects even at low levels, such as lower IQ and autism,” a PEER-issued statement said.

According to the PEER statement, the new testing reportedly collected samples from caulking that was allegedly contaminated and apparently previously untested dirt from rooms.

PEER added the latest test results were submitted to SMMUSD officials on July 3 by the environmental firm – Environ – it hired.

Those results, as outlined in the PEER statement, reportedly revealed caulking in one room at Juan Cabrillo Elementary had 340,000 parts-per-million PCBs. According to PEER, caulking with at least 50 ppm PCBs must be removed.

The new testing also found, according to PEER, 370,000 ppm PCBs in the interior doorframe of a woodshop room at Malibu High. A physical education office and dirt samples from two classrooms were also alleged to have illegally high levels of PCBs.

In Lyon’s community letter, she alleged Malibu Unites and PEER released the latest test results “in a manner that was most certainly designed to incite concerns.”

“It should be noted that the press release from PEER, the group that has most sharply criticized the District for lack of transparency, confirms that it secretly gathered samples from school buildings outside of the testing process that has been established and approved by government agencies,” Lyon added in her letter.

A blog post on the Malibu Unites webpage one day after Lyon’s community letter, many points raised by Lyon were acknowledged and accepted. However, the blog post stated oversight by PEER and Malibu Unites was necessary because SMMUSD has allegedly not followed EPA guidance in previous testing.

“Malibu Unites is not dismissing the authority and scientific experts of government agencies as Sandra Lyon stated in her most recent letter to the community,” the post stated. “In many situations the district has not followed EPA guidance.”

in News
<>Related Posts

Man Arrested in Brentwood for Impersonating Firefighter During Palisades Fire

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

The suspect faces at least 28 criminal counts—including 23 felonies—spanning incidents from 2023 to May 2025 Federal and local law...

West Coast Premiere of ‘The Opposite of Love’ Opens at Hudson Backstage Theatre

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Produced by Neil Gooding Productions, behind shows like Back to the Future: The Musical, the play runs Thursdays through Saturdays at...

Study Highlights Economic Impact of Cap-and-Trade Extension in Los Angeles

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Governor Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders are pushing to reauthorize the program this year, citing its role in generating 287,000...

Film Review: Superman

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

“This movie is packed with storyline, Superman lore, meaningful objects, and action.” writes Kathryn Whitney Boole Rated PG-13129 MinutesReleased July...

Multiple Drug Arrests Reported in Palisades Park in Recent Weeks

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

SMPD Reported Several of the Arrests Between June 29 and July 5 The Santa Monica Police Department reported several drug-related...

(Video) Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The outpost is a first for the popular influencer Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?...

Mayor Bass Hails National Guard Withdrawal as Victory for Unity

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The Pentagon’s decision to reduce the troop presence follows weeks of legal challenges and public demonstrations Mayor Karen Bass celebrated...

DUI Checkpoints to be Conducted Across LA This Weekend

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The LAPD selects checkpoint sites based on data indicating high incidents of impaired driving-related crashes and arrests The Los Angeles...

SMPD to Conduct Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Operation on Friday

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The focus will be on speeding, illegal turns, failing to yield or provide right of way to cyclists or walkers,...

Dodgers to Host Back to School Bash for Fire-Affected Families

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The free event will offer free groceries, school supplies, outfits, haircuts, medical screenings, and carnival rides The Los Angeles Dodgers...

LA Sees Second Straight Year of Homelessness Decline, Leaders Celebrate Progress

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The survey, designed by the University of Southern California, reported a 17.5% drop—the largest two-year decrease on record The Los...

LAPD Seeks Missing 63-Year-Old Man Known to Frequent Playa Vista

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

His family last heard from him via a group text on June 22 The Los Angeles Police Department’s Missing Persons...

Santa Monica Offers City-Owned Properties for Affordable Housing Development

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

The move aims to address the city’s Regional Housing Need Assessment of 8,895 units, with a goal of producing at...

California Hits Two-Thirds Clean Energy Milestone

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

This year, clean energy has powered the state for an average of seven hours daily, with over 90% of days...

Venice Beach to Host First Medal at 2028 Olympics

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

Venice Beach, known for its vibrant boardwalk, will kick off the 844 ticketed events, hosting the triathlon along its coastline...