RELEASE: Representatives Friedman, Chu, Sherman, and Whitesides Call for New Federal Joint Task Force to Monitor Dangerous Pollution from Wildfires

Above: Friedman calling for new joint task force to protect LA residents from dangerous pollution after wildfires.  

PASADENA, CA — Today, February 3, 2025, U.S. Representatives Laura Friedman (CA-30) Judy Chu (CA-28), Brad Sherman (CA-32), and George Whitesides (CA-27) called on the EPA to lead a new Joint Task Force to monitor the potential for dangerous pollution from Los Angeles’ recent wildfires. The Air Quality Index (AQI) does not measure pollutants that are dangerous to children and families including lead, chlorine, asbestos, and more. The letter was sent to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and was led by Representatives Friedman and Chu. Currently, 10 Members of Congress have signed, including Representatives Friedman, Chu, Barragan, Brownley, Garcia, Gomez, Kamlager-Dove, Rivas, Sherman, and Whitesides.  

Air quality continues to be of serious concern for many Los Angeles residents, especially for those in or near the affected areas, both in the immediate aftermath of the fires as well as during the current recovery and rebuilding efforts. Residents often rely on AQI levels on their mobile weather app, which does not take into account other harmful pollutants in the air. 

“This isn’t an issue where we can hold our breath and expect it to go away. The reality is that Angelenos may be living with potentially dangerous pollutants in our air, water, and ground from these urban wildfires, and they deserve to know what is in the air that they’re breathing. They also deserve to be protected from it,” said Representative Laura Friedman (CA-30). “Today, we’re taking a critical step towards getting our residents that information and the tools they need to keep themselves and their loves ones safe.”  

“As the two-phase Eaton Fire clean-up takes place, residents in and around devastated areas must have complete confidence that the air they are breathing, water they are drinking, and ground they are walking on is safe,” said Representative Judy Chu (CA-28). “Today we’re requesting EPA to take the lead in this effort by forming a task force together with federal, state, and local government to monitor the air, water, and soil quality in the LA area and test for pollutants that could be present after a fire in an urban area, like lead and chlorine, and we ask for this information to be communicated to the public regularly and transparently.” 

 "The Los Angeles wildfires not only destroyed homes and landscapes — they also released dangerous toxins like lead, chlorine, and other hazardous chemicals into our air," said Congressman Brad Sherman (CA-32). "That’s why I’m pleased to team up with Representatives Chu, Friedman, Whitesides and other key officials in calling for immediate federal action to address this dangerous public health crisis. Protecting our communities from these hidden threats is not optional -- it’s a responsibility we must meet with urgency and commitment."

Friedman was joined by Representatives Judy Chu (CA-28), Brad Sherman (CA-32), and George Whitesides (CA-27), Pasadena Vice Mayor Jess Rivas, and Pasadena Public Health Director Manuel Carmona.  

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