PUSD Cleans Altadena Arts – But Districtwide Campus Clearance Remains Unproven

In its July 20 bond-project update, Pasadena Unified said a qualified environmental remediation contractor will conduct targeted professional cleaning in select areas of Altadena Arts Magnet, including HEPA vacuuming, mopping, damp wiping, and surface cleaning. PUSD also said it will inspect the HVAC system, replace HEPA filters in classroom air purifiers, replace carpeting throughout the campus with luxury vinyl tile, and reopen the lower playground and parking lot in August.

However, public records do not demonstrate that other PUSD schools have completed comprehensive indoor contaminant testing, remediation, independent post-remediation clearance. Before reopening at the end of January 2025, PUSD’s indoor testing focused on the presence of soot, ash, and char. It was not a comprehensive quantitative assessment of wildfire contaminants such as lead dust, asbestos dust, the broader CAM 17 metals, or VOCs throughout classrooms and building systems. A renovated, rebuilt, cleaned, or reopened campus should not be described as safely recovered – especially for children – until the district provides campus-specific evidence that both the buildings and grounds have been comprehensively tested, remediated where necessary, and cleared.
Action: Read PUSD’s July 20 facilities update. | Review PUSD’s January 2025 facilities reports.