Background on Ecobat

Ecobat (formally known as Quemetco) is a Battery Recycling plant in the City of Industry. According to the Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC) and South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), operations at the plant may have released harmful levels of lead (a metal) and arsenic (a chemical element) into the surrounding communities of Hacienda Heights, La Puente, and Avocado Heights in the early 2000s. Exposure to high levels of lead and arsenic may cause significant health risks:

  • LEAD: Can harm the brain, kidneys, liver, and other organs. Children less than six years old and pregnant women are at increased risk.
  • ARSENIC: long-term exposure is linked to cancers of the skin, lung, digestive tract, liver, and kidneys.

There are many sources of lead and arsenic in our environment, such as our food and beverages, and our indoor and outdoor environment. It is important to control all sources of environmental exposures wherever possible.

Eating lead or breathing high amounts of lead dust can cause lead poisoning. In pregnant women, lead poisoning may cause high blood pressure, the baby to be born too early (premature birth), or loss of the baby (miscarriage). Most people who have lead poisoning do not look or feel sick. The only way to know if you have lead poisoning is with a blood lead test. Signs of possible lead poisoning include headaches, nausea, weakness, and trouble eating, sleeping, or paying attention.

Current arsenic emissions are regulated by SCAQMD in accordance with Ecobat’s Risk Reduction Plan. Since 2009, monthly average arsenic emissions have not exceeded the level that poses minimum risk as established by CalEPA.

For the latest news and updates, please visit the Department of Toxic Substances and Control’s website here https://dtsc.ca.gov/hw-projects/ecobat-battery-recycling/.

To protect the community, Public Health recommends the following:

  • The Ecobat operator should take the necessary precautions (e.g. backup power systems, preventative maintenance, etc.) to ensure periodic daily spikes of arsenic emissions do not occur.
  • The State's investigation of soil contamination should be expanded and completed as soon as possible. Air modeling shows that historic lead and arsenic emissions may have impacted soil up to 1.6 miles away from the facility, and more soil sampling is needed to better understand community impacts.
  • Residents and workers in the area should have their blood tested for lead. Please contact your primary care provider for more information about getting a blood test for lead. You can also call 1-800-LA-4-LEAD to request a free blood lead test.

Living Near Ecobat - 2019 and 2020 Community Outreach and Survey Results

In order to inform the community about Ecobat (Quemetco) and the health effects of potential lead and arsenic exposure, Public Health conducted two outreach events and resource fairs in the nearby communities of Hacienda Heights (2019) and Avocado Heights (2020).

The following are summaries of both events: English | Español | 简体中文 | 繁體中文.

Resources