Dark sediment taken from the beaches near burn scar areas at Santa Monica Channel and Topanga Creek do not contain any chemicals that would classify it as hazardous waste, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health reported on March 12.
Samples taken by L.A. County Public Works of the sediment after a January rain storm that washed sediment and debris into the beach and ocean areas tested negative for toxic chemicals.
The samples were taken in early February on the beach areas near the two channel locations impacted by wildfire debris and ash, the county reported.
Laboratory tested the sediment for a wide range of substances, including asbestos, heavy metals, dioxins, pesticides and petroleum hydrocarbons. The tests showed that most of these substances were not detected.
Only minor traces were detected in limited instances, the county reported.
In those instances, those substances detected were found only in minor traces. Also, none of the levels exceeded safety thresholds.
Based on these tests, the county said the debris in these tidal areas would be safe for disposal in inert landfills.