Board approves environmental testing at Altadena Arts; parents press for carpet removal and transparency

The Pasadena Unified board unanimously approved a contract with Verdantis Incorporated to perform indoor-environmental testing at Altadena Arts Magnet School to check for post-fire settling and possible recontamination. The decision followed a focused public-comment sequence during which parents, students and community members demanded a thorough sampling plan and quick, transparent reporting of results.

Molly Dodge, an Altadena parent, cited a recently obtained visual-inspection report that observed “charlike and ashlike” deposits at exterior entry points and argued the district should test now and publish full results. “Our community expects to see the full results of this testing,” she said.

Several parents asked the district to remove carpets and other porous materials if laboratory testing suggests heavy metals or other hazardous constituents are present. Jenny Rodriguez, a parent, explained that when heavy metals are found in ash or char, many experts recommend discarding soft goods rather than attempting to clean them: “My four-year-old daughter will be very likely to have her hands and face on the carpet,” she said, urging rapid action.

Verdantis’ representatives said the contract’s first task is a certified-industrial-hygienist–led walkthrough to identify sampling points. The contractor noted that while hard-surface wipe sampling and HVAC sampling are standard and comparable to regulatory guidance, standardized testing of porous materials such as carpet is not commonly recognized by regulators; in those cases the vendor said it would use best practices to inform recommendations and that, if hazards are found on hard surfaces, removal of porous materials in affected areas is commonly recommended.

Timelines and reporting: Verdantis estimated sampling and standard laboratory turnaround would take approximately two to four weeks from the field sampling and that a written report would follow; the firm said it will share the planned sampling protocol with district and community leaders promptly after the walkthrough.

Why it matters: Parents argued that children (especially very young ones) spend many hours on classroom carpets and that porous materials can sequester contaminants. Trustees approved the contract and asked staff to ensure rapid, clear communication of the sampling plan and results to families.