{"id":3594,"date":"2025-12-18T13:03:46","date_gmt":"2025-12-18T21:03:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/?p=3594"},"modified":"2026-03-17T10:14:29","modified_gmt":"2026-03-17T17:14:29","slug":"crisis-science","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/crisis-science\/","title":{"rendered":"Following the Crisis, Science Steps in to Make Homes Safer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n\n \n
\n \n
\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n\n<\/div>\n \n
\n \n
\n\n \n Associate Professor of Earth Sciences Seth John collects soil samples in a Los Angeles County neighborhood decimated by wildfire. (Photo: Courtesy of Seth John.)\n\n\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n
\n \n \n
\n\n \n

Following the Crisis, Science Steps in to Make Homes Safer<\/h1>\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n
\n \n
\n\n \n How free soil testing is helping families rebuild after catastrophic Los Angeles wildfires.\n\n\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n By<\/span>Ileana Wachtel<\/a><\/strong>\n \n December 18, 2025<\/span>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n <\/div><\/div>\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n\n \n
\n \n \n Share\n <\/span>\n \n \n <\/svg>\n <\/span>\n Copy Link<\/span>\n <\/a>\n \n \n <\/svg>\n <\/span>\n Facebook<\/span>\n <\/a>\n \n \n \n\n<\/svg>\n\n <\/span>\n X<\/span>\n <\/a>\n \n \n <\/svg>\n <\/span>\n LinkedIn<\/span>\n <\/a>\n \n \n \n \n <\/svg>\n <\/span>\n Bluesky<\/span>\n <\/a>\n \n \n <\/svg>\n <\/span>\n Email<\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/span>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div><\/div>\n \n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n\n \n \n
\n\n \n

After flames swept through Los Angeles\u2019 Pacific Palisades and Altadena neighborhoods in January, many residents returned to damaged or destroyed homes, blackened hillsides and an invisible hazard beneath their feet: toxic soil.<\/p>\n

Ash and debris from burned buildings can release heavy metals and chemicals that linger long after the flames are out. For families hoping to rebuild, the risk is more than structural. It\u2019s about the safety of their yards, their children and their pets.<\/p>\n

USC Dornsife scientists quickly mobilized. \u201cAfter the fires, we immediately began testing soil for lead,\u201d says Seth John<\/a>, associate professor of Earth sciences<\/a>. \u201cWe soon realized there was a tremendous need for residents \u2014 and business owners \u2014 to have a reliable, affordable way to check their own properties for contamination.\u201d<\/p>\n

With backing from USC Dornsife Public Exchange<\/a> and in collaboration with\u00a0the Keck School of Medicine of USC, the team created Containment Level Evaluation and Analysis for Neighborhoods (CLEAN)<\/a>. The program offers free soil testing, filling a critical gap created when government aid falls short and private testing proves costly.<\/p>\n

Collection boxes were placed across burned neighborhoods. \u201cWe were inundated \u2014 we couldn\u2019t test samples fast enough,\u201d says project co-lead Sam Silva<\/a>, assistant professor of Earth sciences.<\/p>\n

In June, a $1 million gift from FireAid<\/a> expanded CLEAN\u2019s reach. The program now screens for multiple contaminants and can process samples more efficiently, helping more families and businesses in need.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis work lays the foundation for how scientists can respond to environmental crises,\u201d says project co-lead Josh West<\/a>, professor of Earth sciences and environmental studies<\/a>. \u201cIt demonstrates what research universities can do when communities are at their most vulnerable.\u201d<\/p>\n