California asks for citizen input on lethal contamination

Written By Pat Elder

Public encouraged to email regulators by the end of June, 2025 if they suspect contaminants have made them sick

By Pat Elder
June 24, 2025

Deadly Trichloroethylene, Carbon Tetrachloride, and Tetrachloroethane plumes  are shown where residential and commercial development is occurring at the former Fort Ord.

The California Department of Toxic Substances Control’s (DTSC) Environmental Justice Advisory Council will hold its inaugural meeting at 10:00 am – 6:00 pm on June 30, 2025 in Sacramento. The public is encouraged to attend through Zoom. https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83601606506?pwd=wRAVxzIKRhur0gxsc8tBMWrXrdUhZq.1

 Members of the public (inside and outside of the state) wishing to address the Council on any matter may do so by joining Zoom, calling in, or by emailing EJACinfo@dtsc.ca.gov by close of business on June 29, 2025. The greater Fort Ord community is urged to send a brief email to the council.

The council was established by the legislature as an independent entity “to conduct confirmation sampling related to a release or potential release of a hazardous material.”  The meeting agenda will be posted on the EJAC webpage at
https://dtsc.ca.gov/environmental-justice-advisory-council/ 

It may be helpful to send the council an email demanding they test for a variety of environmental toxins in the air, soil, groundwater and drinking water at the former Fort Ord.

Here’s a template letter for you to use:

To the DTSC Environmental Justice Advisory Council:

I am convinced that I was sickened by environmental contaminants at the former Fort Ord and I believe these toxins may still be dangerous today. I am most concerned about the likely presence of ___________________ in
the soil, groundwater, drinking water, and/or air. Could you conduct additional sampling?

Fill in the blank with one or more of these poisonous substances known to exist at the former Fort Ord:

  • Toxic smoke from prescribed burns

  • Trichloroethylene

  • Perchloroethylene

  • Carbon Tetrachloride

  • Benzene

  • Toluene

  • Ethylbenzene

  • Xylene

  • PFAS

  • Lead

  • Cadmium

  • Chromium VI

  • Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons

  • Asbestos

  • Dioxin

  • U-238 Isotopes

  • Thorium‑232

  • Promethium‑147

  • Cesium‑137

 You may be able to find your disease or cancer from this data from the NIH then identify the contaminant from the list above that may have caused it. https://www.militarypoisons.org/latest-news/diseases-that-may-be-caused-by-exposure-to-toxinsnbsp-on-military-bases-and-their-associated-chemicals

 

Pat Elder
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