🎙️ KNX 97.1 FM featured Dr. Nicole Maccalla in a powerful segment on the growing push for safe cleanup, accurate data, and funding for homes affected by the Eaton Fire.
Dr. Maccalla, a data scientist and UCLA faculty member, is part of Eaton Fire Residents United (EFRU) and has played a key role in building the community contamination map.
“You know, we're really trying to tell a convincing story. So the more cases that we have, the more convincing, credible, valid our story becomes.”
— Dr. Nicole Maccalla
She explained that many homes may look safe but contain dangerous toxins, referencing EPA standards:
Lead on floors: EPA limit is 5 µg/ft²
Lead on windowsills: EPA limit is 40 µg/ft²
93% of homes in the first wave of data exceed these thresholds
🧪 Important Note: The EPA updated its lead hazard standards in 2021, lowering the danger threshold to 10 µg/ft² for floors and 100 µg/ft² for windowsills. However, the cleanup standards remain outdated — still allowing up to 40 µg/ft² on floors and 250 µg/ft² on sills after remediation. That means homes can pass clearance while still being considered hazardous by the EPA’s own science.
The KNX piece highlights the grassroots science behind the map and the urgent need for government action and cleanup resources.
📻 The full interview should be available soon at knxnews.com.
🔗 Want to take action?
Explore the map or submit your home test results: efru.la/
🙏 Special Thanks
A heartfelt thank-you to Nataly Tavidian of KNX News for her thoughtful reporting and for helping elevate the voices of fire survivors.
📱 Follow her work:
🧭 Tip: Visit KNX online at knxnews.com or follow them on Instagram or Twitter/X for the latest coverage.
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