State agency slow to protect public from toxic waste

Protesters wear face masks during a rally outside of Exide Technologies in Vernon, which has been cited frequently for excessive lead emissions.   (Christina House / For The Times)

Jonathan Sanabria participates in a rally outside Exide Technologies, which is the only major hazardous-waste facility in California that has never acquired a full permit.   (Christina House / For The Times)

Juan Rosales, 17, right, and Rossmery Zayas, 16, both of South Gate, march outside the Exide Technologies plant.   (Christina House / For The Times)

Protesters rally outside of Exide Technologies in Vernon, which has been required to set aside $7.7 million to replace leaking wastewater pipes and further reduce its arsenic emissions.  (Christina House / For The Times)

Los Angeles County Fire Department hazardous-materials specialist Don Thompson inspects a sample of a chemical found inside an abandoned container in a South-Central Los Angeles alley.   (Christina House / For The Times)

Los Angeles County Fire Department hazardous-materials specialist Mario Benjamin examines an abandoned container in an alley in Whittier.   (Christina House / For The Times)