The former Exide facility in Vernon operated as a lead acid battery recycling plant until its oversight agency, the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), ordered its closure. DTSC learned that Exide’s management of hazardous waste was unsafe, resulting in contamination of nearby soil and water. Extensive cleanup of Exide contamination in the Southeast Los Angeles (SELA) region started in 2018 and remains ongoing.

Vernon is Committed to Safeguarding Community Health

The City of Vernon has pressed for funding and remediation to address the health needs of the local community by taking the following actions:

• Advocated for a National Superfund Priority Listing (NSPL) to prioritize and expedite remediation of the former Exide property and surrounding impacted areas
• Worked with various agencies like DTSC, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), and California EPA (CalEPA) to address the environmental hazards faced in SELA communities
• Engaged government officials at the federal, state, and local level (Senator Alex Padilla, Senator Diane Feinstein, and Congressman Robert Garcia) to advocate for additional necessary funding while Superfund is pending

Status of Superfund Priority Listing

On July 1, 2022, the CalEPA formally requested that the former Exide battery recycling plant in Vernon and surrounding impacted communities be added to the NSPL which would potentially enable access to resources, expertise, and millions of federal dollars to expedite the remainder of the Exide cleanup.

The USEPA completed a preliminary assessment of the former Exide site in November of 2022, followed by an inspection initiated in January 2023 to determine eligibility for the NSPL. Subsequently, the USEPA published a completed report in June of 2024 that calls to consider designating toxic pollution from the former Exide plant an NSPL site. The USEPA’s recommendation is rooted in groundwater contamination caused by a carcinogen called trichloroethylene (TCE), also linked to the plant. According to the USEPA’s report, soil lead levels do not meet specific Superfund criteria, as they are too close to “background” thresholds.

More information on the USEPA’s former Exide plant site evaluation and findings may be found at the Superfund Site Exide webpage. The USEPA is accepting public comment through December 4, 2024 for the NSPL proposal for Exide. Stay updated, get involved, and submit your comments by visiting the USEPA's Exide proposal webpage.

About DTSC Lead Remediation in Vernon

The City has been engaged with all involved agencies associated with the former Exide site remediation. Decontamination and deconstruction of site buildings and enclosures have been tackled in phases since the initial closure of the plant. Significant progress has been made with cleanup efforts. Discussions surrounding the future redevelopment of the former Exide site have begun, as careful consideration will be needed to determine appropriate and practical uses for the property.

DTSC and the City have also worked together to coordinate necessary lead remediation at various residential locations throughout the City. The Vernon Village Park Apartments and two City-owned homes on Vernon Avenue were the last residential locations in Vernon that warranted lead remediation as identified by DTSC (whose process prioritized properties for remediation based on lead concentration levels). Remediation for these remaining Vernon locations was performed in April of 2023.  DTSC's work included the removal of lead-contaminated soil from each property and the replacement of that soil with topsoil and landscaping.   

Upcoming Public Forums

To seek feedback on the Exide Cleanup Project and address questions, DTSC periodically hosts public workshops at various locations throughout the cleanup area. Information on these public meetings can be found at dtsc.ca.gov/exide-home/.

Contact DTSC by phone at (844) 225-3887 or visit dtsc.ca.gov if you have questions about Exide or lead contamination cleanup.