Petition Title: Shut Down and Relocate CLA-VAL Foundries. Protect West Costa Mesa from Toxic Pollution!

Petition Started by: The Concerned Residents of West Costa Mesa, California.

Targeted To: • CLA-VAL Business 1701 Placentia Avenue Costa Mesa, CA 92627

• South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) •

California Air Resources Board (CARB)

• California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA)

• Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board

• City of Costa Mesa

• Governor of California

• Orange County Water District (OCWD)

• Costa Mesa Fire Department (CMFD)

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

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Introduction: A Community Under Siege. For too long, the residents of West Costa Mesa have lived in the shadow of a silent threat. The industrial operations of Griswold Industries, operating as CLA-VAL, have released a cocktail of toxic pollutants into our air, soil, and water. This is not a minor inconvenience—it is an environmental disaster affecting hundreds of residents. Our community is experiencing a disproportionately high rate of severe illnesses, and we believe the source is the relentless toxic exposure from CLA-VAL’s metal and non-metal foundries. We are raising our voices to demand immediate action.

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The Problem: A Pervasive Threat to Health and Safety The CLA-VAL foundries are a constant source of pollution, affecting every aspect of our environment and, consequently, our health. The toxic substances released include: Airborne Pollutants: • Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) • Carbon Monoxide (CO) • Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) • Hydrogen Sulfide (H₂S) • Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) • Sulfur Dioxide (SO₂) • Abrasive grinding particulates • Black carbon • Electroplating material particles • Metal and plastic particles • Acids and acid vapors • Cleaning-agent vapors • Solvents and solvent vapors. We breathe these in daily. They are linked to respiratory diseases, heart conditions, and cancers. Heavy Metals and Particulates. Microscopic metal particles and other fine particulates are not only inhaled but also settle on our homes, cars, and yards. Water Contamination: Toxic runoff—including oil, grease, and other hazardous substances—enters our storm drains and water bodies. This threatens local ecosystems and risks contaminating groundwater that is already polluted. This groundwater feeds into the aquifer used for drinking water wells located in North Costa Mesa near Harbor Boulevard. Subsurface Threats: Long-term pollutant buildup in soil and groundwater creates a dangerous, lasting environmental hazard that future generations will inherit. 

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Why This Is an Emergency ? These effects are not hypothetical—they are daily realities for the people of West Costa Mesa. A significant percentage of residents suffer from severe and often debilitating illnesses. The presence of these foundries represents not only a public-health crisis but a violation of our right to a safe and healthy environment.

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Our Demand: We, the residents of West Costa Mesa, call on Griswold Industries (CLA-VAL) to take a responsible and ethical step: relocate your pollution-producing metal and non-metal foundries to a location where they will not endanger a residential community. We also call upon all targeted agencies and officials to: 1. Conduct immediate, transparent, and comprehensive air, soil, and water testing. Results must be made public. 2. Enforce all existing environmental regulations to the fullest extent. Impose fines and sanctions until full compliance is achieved. 3. Mandate the relocation of the foundries. Work with CLA-VAL to find a solution that protects our community. 4. Provide full transparency. Share all environmental reports, violation notices, and mitigation plans with the public.

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Conclusion: Our Health Cannot Wait We should not have to choose between our health and a local business. The continued operation of these foundries in our neighborhood is an unacceptable risk. We urge every resident of Costa Mesa, every concerned citizen, and all supporters of a clean environment to sign this petition. Your signature sends a clear message that our lives are not a price worth paying for “business as usual.” Sign this petition and demand that CLA-VAL and our elected and appointed officials act now to protect the health and safety of West Costa Mesa. Thank you.