Secondary Lead Smelter

Quemetco is a secondary lead smelter located in the City of Industry in Los Angeles County. The nearest resident lives 600 feet away from the facility and there are twenty-one schools located within a two-mile radius of Quemetco. The communities surrounding the facility are predominantly low-income and communities of color. Over the past several decades, Quemetco has emitted large amounts of pollutants into the surrounding air, water, and soil, including lead and arsenic, among others. There is no safe level of exposure to lead and even very low blood lead levels have been linked to neurological damage in children. Arsenic is a known human carcinogen that can cause lung, bladder, skin, kidney, liver, and prostate cancers. Quemetco is currently seeking approval from South Coast AQMD to expand its operations by 25%. This expansion would increase every environmental and health impact of Quemetco’s current operations, including an increase in emissions of lead and other criteria pollutants; an increase in greenhouse gas emissions; and an increase in the amounts of hazardous materials and waste processed at the facility.

Members of CAC protesting outside Quemetco. Credit: CAC.

AQMD needs to take action to ensure that Quemetco cannot expand its operations and further harm community members and the environment. The Clean Air Coalition of North Whittier & Avocado Heights (CAC) is committed to defending the environment and the quality of life in the communities around Quemetco. CAC is leading the fight against Quemetco’s proposed expansion. Find out more on their website.

CAC Coordinator Rebecca Overmyer-Velázquez testifying at a community hearing. Credit: Jessica Chou.