RESIDENTS ASSAIL SCHOOL SITE TESTS.

Byline: Orith Goldberg Staff Writer

VAN NUYS - Neighbors of a future Van Nuys elementary school raised concerns Thursday about the extent of toxicity tests and clean-up measures on the site.

The state's Department of Toxic Substances Control held a public meeting attended by about 25 people. Officials talked about the removal of arsenic and some metals associated with herbicides at the site, at Vanowen Street and Columbus Avenue, previously occupied by an agricultural education facility.

Of particular concern to residents was the depth of the soil tests.

``They're saying there are only three contaminated areas, but I spoke with a microbiologist . . . and he asked me to tell them to dig at least 5 feet,'' Van Nuys resident Robin Russak said. ``I care about how they get rid of the dirt and the way it will affect the people who live here.''

The agency did a preliminary toxic study in January of the future site of Van Nuys Elementary School No. 1 with samples taken from 6 inches to 10 feet. The study determined that at least three areas with at least 75 cubic yards, or four to five truckloads of soil, needs to be removed.

Department officials sought to assure residents that appropriate measures are being taken.

``We tested at levels we found to be a problem,'' said Javier Hinojosa, a Toxic Controls department unit chief.

State officials discovered unhealthful levels of creosotes - compounds used to preserve wood - on the north-central portion of the 3 1/2-acre site.

The creosotes are believed to have come from telephone poles used as parking barriers, said Robbie Morris, the agency's project manager for the Van Nuys elementary school site.

``This chemical is a problem if you have contact with it,'' said Hamid Saebfar, an official with the agency's Chief School Property Evaluation and Cleanup Division.

Officials also found small concentrations of arsenic on the other two locations, Morris said.

She said the arsenic was believed to be associated with herbicides, adding that greenhouses have been removed.

The removal process would include excavating the soil, loading it on trucks and taking it to a permitted off-site disposal facility, Morris said. Once the soil is removed, the bottom of the excavated area will be tested to make sure it meets state health standards.

Officials broke ground at the school site Aug. 23.

Angelo Bellomo, director of environmental health and safety for the LAUSD, said the district is attempting to ``ensure that schools are built on safe land, but in a way that responds to the crisis on the shortage of land.''

But in a letter to the state EPA, Don Schultz, president of the Van Nuys Homeowners Association, summed up the residents' worries, saying samples of 10 and 20 feet should be taken.

``It would seem logical that LAUSD would want to know before and not after the beginning of construction of any problems that may cause future delays or health risks to the children that will occupy the school.''