Only Safe Levels of Arsenic Found at Valerio School Site

A second round of soil tests has disclosed only safe levels of arsenic at a new school for kindergartners and first-graders, likely meaning no delays in the campus’ September opening, Los Angeles Unified School District officials said Monday.

The tests were ordered after soil samples from the Valerio Primary Center site were found recently to contain as much as 12.8 parts per million of the metallic carcinogen--higher than normal but below the 20 parts per million that experts say would cause concern.

None of the levels discovered at or around the school site poses a health risk, agriculture experts and district officials said. Arsenic occurs naturally “and is endemic to Southern California soil,� said Yi Hwa Kim, deputy director of health and safety for the district.

Rufus Chaney, a research agronomist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, said the arsenic found at the school would not harm children even if they ate contaminated dirt.

Soil samples analyzed from nearby homes found normal levels of arsenic. District officials explained that some parts of the school soil might have higher arsenic levels because the area was used as a horticultural center for nearby Fulton Middle School.

District officials said the soil tests should not delay the school’s opening on Sept. 13, although they still need to meet this week with the state Department of Toxic Substances Control to determine the best way to handle contaminated spots, such as replacing areas with new soil.