City Council Passes Motion to Hold Atlas Metals Accountable for Hazardous Operations

LOS ANGELES – Today, the City Council passed a motion introduced by Councilmember Tim McOsker to hold Atlas Iron & Metal Company accountable for its history of environmental violations, which have endangered the health and safety of students and staff at Jordan High School and the surrounding community in Watts.

Atlas Iron & Metal Co., a scrap metal recycler in operation since 1949, has been the subject of multiple lawsuits and legal actions following a series of hazardous incidents, including an explosion in August 2024, during the first day back to school for Jordan High School, that launched metal projectiles and dust onto the grounds of school.

Soil samples collected from the campus have revealed dangerous concentrations of lead and zinc, and stormwater runoff from the Atlas site has been linked to environmental contamination.

“Our community in Watts has been suffering from damaging environmental exposures for far too long,” said Councilmember Tim McOsker. “It’s particularly egregious that students, while trying to get an education, are simultaneously being exposed to toxic levels of lead and other harmful substances. For the students and families of Watts, we must hold polluters accountable and ensure that every resident can live in a safe and healthy environment.”

This motion builds on McOsker’s ongoing efforts to address the long-standing issue of lead exposure in Watts. Following the Better Watts Initiative’s study, which revealed dangerous levels of lead in some of the residents’ water, McOsker is seeking to eradicate lead contamination throughout Watts—addressing not only the water supply but also the soil and other environmental hazards impacting residents.

“No young person should be forced to go to school next to a metal plant known for spreading toxins into the air that could cause long-term health impacts like cancer and other diseases,” said Mayor Karen Bass. “Last week, we invited EPA Administrator Michael Regan to join Councilman McOsker and I as we met with families, teachers and young people who work at and attend Jordan High School as well as neighbors in the area who have been impacted as well. Together, we will work to hold Atlas Metals accountable on behalf of future generations of Angelenos.”

Lead in soil and water poses serious health risks, particularly to children, pregnant women, and vulnerable populations. When ingested or inhaled, lead can damage the brain, kidneys, and nervous system, causing developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems in children. Long-term exposure can result in cardiovascular issues, anemia, and reproductive problems in adults. Lead contamination often goes unnoticed because it is tasteless, odorless, and invisible, making it especially hazardous.

“This is a great start, and we are grateful for the bold leadership of Councilmember McOsker,” said Tim Watkins, President and CEO of the Watts Labor Community Action Committee, "But, we cannot rest until Atlas is gone for good. The children of Watts deserve to grow up in a safe and healthy environment.”

According to the Better Watts Initiative’s study on heavy metal contaminants in the tap water of Watts Residents, “lead contamination is an expected contributing factor to many of the preventable health disparities observed in the community including a 14-year shorter average life expectancy than surrounding neighborhoods and a nearly 50% dropout rate of adolescents before eighth grade. The compounding cognitive impairments associated with youth lead exposure undermine children's academic performance.”

The motion outlines several directives for City agencies, including an investigation by the Office of the City Attorney and the Los Angeles Bureau of Sanitation (LASAN) into Atlas Iron & Metal’s compliance with federal water pollution regulations.

The investigation will specifically focus on the status of required stormwater treatment system upgrades, which are intended to prevent further contamination of the Jordan High School campus. The motion also calls for coordinated efforts between the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), LASAN, and the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) to develop additional testing strategies to identify pollutants present at the Atlas site.

In response to the ongoing environmental crisis, McOsker's motion also requests the City Attorney's office to review Atlas Iron & Metal's history of citations and penalties for illegal hazardous material disposal and to explore the City’s ability to impose further restrictions on the company’s operations. Potential measures include abatement of the use, injunctive relief, fines, and community-based mitigation efforts, such as the establishment of a fund to assist environmentally impacted neighborhoods like Watts.

The motion also urges the involvement of the California Attorney General and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to share critical data related to pollutants and incidents at the Atlas site, including recent explosions that endangered the local community.