Community Resources
Community Resources are divided by key issues facing Los Angeles residents. You can find more information on health impacts, fact sheets, tools, resources, and ways to get involved below.
If you would like more information on how our work connects with issues in environmental justice and climate health, please visit the Environmental Justice and Climate Health pages . You can also find information on Policy and Data Resources.
Air Pollution
Air pollution is a serious public health issue in Los Angeles County. Pollution from cars, trucks, ports, and industry can build up in air, especially on hot days.
It can cause immediate health issues like coughing, asthma attacks, headaches, and trouble breathing. Over time, it can increase risk of serious health issues like heart and lung disease.
Health Impacts
Fact Sheets
Get Involved and Take Action
- South Coast Air Quality Management District holds AB 617 Community Air Initiative Meetings in designated communities throughout Los Angeles County. Find and join a local meeting.
- California Air Resources Board (CARB) holds public events, such as workshops and rulemaking. You can submit complaints for statewide air pollution concerns and/or track statewide air quality policies.
- Coalition for Clean Air is a statewide organization protecting public health and improving air quality. Community members can get involved in projects like the Air Quality Monitoring Network and the Community Air Protection Projects (1, 2)
Extreme Heat
Heat waves are happening more often and lasting longer because of climate change. Los Angeles often gets very hot with many days reaching temperatures above 90 ⁰F degrees in the summer.
Heat can be especially dangerous for older adults, pregnant people, young children and people with chronic illnesses like heart disease or diabetes because their bodies may have a harder time cooling down.
Learning about heat helps everyone understand how it affects health and why it’s important to stay cool and check on others during hot days.
Health Impacts
Fact Sheets
Preparing for Heat Waves
- Ready LA County – Excessive Heat
- Heat Ready CA – statewide tools and resources to prepare for extreme heat
Tools & Resources
- California Healthy Places Index provides open and accessible data. Explore neighborhood maps to compare health and wellness of communities, health inequities, and the factors that shape health.
- CalEPA CalHeat Score is a tool with weather and health data to understand health risks.
- National Weather Service HeatRisk Tool provides guidance for decision makers and those who are sensitive to heat.
Get Involved and Take Action
Los Angeles Regional Collaborative for Climate Action and Sustainability (LARC) is a network of groups meeting to advance climate mitigation and adaptation efforts in Los Angeles region. Sign up to become a supporter.
Hazardous Sites and Toxic Exposure (legacy sites)
Hazardous sites are contaminated by toxic chemicals, waste or materials that pose risks to health and the environment.
Often these sites may be former factories, processing plants, or landfills that left behind harmful toxins like heavy metals (lead, mercury), volatile organic compounds (solvents, fuels), pesticides, or polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB).
They may also be active factories or businesses in your community.
Health Impacts
Fact Sheets
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Health Data
Tools & Resources
- Cal Enviro Screen is a mapping tool that finds communities disproportionately affected by pollution in California.
- Envirostor is a data system that tracks hazardous waste sites, cleanups, permitting, enforcement, and investigation efforts at hazardous waste facilities.
- Geo Tracker is a data system used to track compliance information about authorized and unauthorized discharges.
Get Involved and Take Action
Stay informed of opportunities the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) provides for Public Participation. Subscribe to the OEJCH listserv by sending your email address to DPH-OEJCH@ph.lacounty.gov.
Lead Exposure
Lead is a harmful metal that can be found in soil, old paint, dust, near busy roads or industrial sites. Lead is harmful to health, it’s especially dangerous for young children because it can affect their brain development, learning and behavior. There are simple steps that can be taken to reduce risk and stay safe.
Health Impacts
Fact Sheets
- Preventing Lead Poisoning: English | Spanish
- Gardening in Lead-Contaminated Soil
- Lead Poisoning in Pets
Resources
- Lead Free Homes Los Angeles offers free lead paint removal from homes across Los Angeles County. Check your eligibility here.
- Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLLPP) offers education and key information for parents and health providers on child lead poisoning.
- Help Me Grow: Resources for parents with children who have development issues.
Get Involved and Take Action
You can report lead poisoning and get more information on protecting yourself from lead exposure by calling CLPPP’s 1-800-LA-4-LEAD / 1-800-524-5322 hotline.
The Department of Toxic Substances Control has a public participation information page, including a calendar to public events, ways to access public records, and more.
Oil and Gas Facilities
There is strong evidence from research studies showing that living near oil and gas facilities can harm health. Oil and gas operations also worsen climate change by releasing greenhouse gases and other pollutants, which can lead to hotter days, poorer air qualtity and more health harms.
People living near oil and gas sites may be exposed to air pollution, noise, odors and chemicals that can affect breathing, heart health, and overall well-being. These impacts can be especially serious for children, older adults, pregnant people, and those with existing health conditions.
Living near oil and gas sites is a environmental justice issue because communities already burdened by polluation often face a greater health and safety risks.
Health Impacts
- California Department of Conservation: Public Health Dimensions of Upstream Oil & Gas in California
- UCLA’s Institute of the Environment and Sustainability: Assessing Health and Community Impacts of Oil Drilling Near Homes in South Los Angeles
- State of California Propostion 65