Firm hired to check air quality after L.A. warehouse fire has controversial history
Summary
A company called Onterris was hired to check air quality after a big warehouse fire in Los Angeles in June 2026. The company, previously known as Center for Toxicology and Environmental Health (CTEH), has a history of controversial testing that some say underestimated health risks after environmental disasters.Key Facts
- A huge fire burned for a week at a large cold storage warehouse owned by Lineage in Los Angeles on June 17, 2026.
- Residents worried about smoke and health risks, leading the company to hire Onterris to test air quality.
- Onterris reported good air quality with low hazardous gas levels, but independent experts and activists say the testing might be inadequate.
- Onterris used to be called CTEH and has worked for oil companies, railroads, and heavy industry for 29 years.
- In 2023, after a train derailment in Ohio, CTEH tested air and water but was criticized for missing dangerous chemicals and short testing times.
- CTEH has faced similar disputes after Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
- Critics argue the firm has conflicts of interest because it is paid by companies involved in the pollution.
- Onterris disputes the criticism and says their testing protects public health.
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