State, Federal Agencies Will Look For Environmental Hazards At SoCal Schools

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — The Los Angeles Unified School District is among several Southern California school districts that will go under an environmental microscope.

A pilot project between state and federal agencies will look for health problems inside and in the neighborhoods around schools, including those in the LAUSD.

Previously, when a hazard was found, part of the problem was not knowing who gets the call to fix it.

"Depending on who you contact, it's difficult to know the right agency to contact," said Thomas Cota with the California Department of Toxic Substances Control.

The program, which will look for problems inside and around schools, will take about six months.

"We're going to bring the agencies together and try to have a clear and transparent relationship with school districts, with community members, community organizations, to address some of their concerns," Cota said.