Recycling company indicted for hazardous waste dumping at LA school

Atlas Iron and Metal Corp., a recycling facility in Los Angeles County, has been indicted on 25 counts for allegedly dumping hazardous waste onto the adjacent Jordan High School campus. The indictment follows years of complaints from community members regarding the facility's operations, which have reportedly sent shrapnel and toxic materials onto school grounds, endangering students' health. The Los Angeles Unified School District has indicated that lead levels on the campus are alarmingly high, exceeding EPA hazardous standards by 75 times. In 2021, the Los Angeles City Attorney's office labeled the company a public nuisance, citing incidents where metal fragments were ejected from the facility, including a notable case where a 6-inch shard from a military device was propelled 1,500 feet into the air. This incident led to the evacuation of the school, raising serious concerns about the safety of students and staff. The situation escalated further with an explosion at the facility on August 12, 2023, which sent smoke into the air just before the school year began. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, but the incident underscored the ongoing risks posed by the recycling operation. As the legal proceedings unfold, community advocates emphasize the urgent need for regulatory action to protect public health and ensure that companies prioritize safety over profit. The owners of Atlas Iron and Metal Corp. have pleaded not guilty and are expected to appear in court again on October 28, 2023.