L.A. County health officials say the sand at beaches in the burn zones is safe. However, the group Heal the Bay says the county's assessment is premature and potentially dangerous.
The group says health officials used two samples taken from the beaches near the burn scar areas to determine the sand is safe, but Heal the Bay CEO Tracy Quinn says those samples are just not enough.
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"So we're concerned not only about the impact on public health due to the ocean water quality, but also the interactions from walking and playing on the sand, and certainly for small children and pets who may be more likely to touch or ingest that sand," Quinn said.
She says they've done their own tests, sampling sand at several beaches within the burn zone. "We have also learned that the regional water quality control board did several composite sand and sediment samples and are going to be doing those at regular intervals."
Quinn says they expect the results by next week, but Hill the Bay is calling for more frequent testing at the beaches and for the results to be made public.
Meanwhile, Quinn implores beachgoers to exercise caution and check water quality advisories before heading out.
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