The unexpected closure of the Exide Technologies facility in Vernon, California in March 2015 left the communities of Southeast Los Angeles with more questions than answers: What is the full extent of the Exide’s contamination given their egregious record of environmental violations? Why are governmental agencies not responding more quickly to this public health emergency? And why is there a lack of resources and funding allocated to address this environmental justice issue? Although Exide’s contamination is a local problem, the answers to these questions provide ethical, political, economic, and social implications that are transferable to other communities negatively impacted by the activities of the lead-acid battery recycling industry.

Recent news reveals that over 10,000 homes in East and Southeast Los Angeles have been contaminated with lead, arsenic, and other hazardous chemicals that are characteristic of Exide’s activities. In the process of separating parts of lead-acid batteries and melting the lead that could be reused, Exide was responsible for emitting lead and other chemicals into nearby communities. The sheer number of homes and people affected should have prompted a quick response, but the failures at the Department of Toxic Substances Control prevented such action. Although the Department earmarked $9 million to remediate about 200 homes, the thousands more homes that require remediation could cost hundreds of millions of dollars. These revelations have created outrage and distrust among community members who believe the Department continues to perpetuate environmental injustice despite the fact that it was created to protect the public’s health.

Exide’s history in Vernon is not an anomaly, but it is representative of how a politically and socially disenfranchised community continues to be marginalized even after overcoming the hurdle of closing a polluting facility. Documenting the aftermath of Exide’s closure would increase visibility of this issue and also create a historical account for future reference.