. @RosannaXia has nailed down the details of an environmental abuse that had been whispered about for decades among scientists.

“Holy crap. This is real,” one said. “This stuff really is down there.” https://www.latimes.com/projects/la-coast-ddt-dumping-ground/

Barrels filled with toxic chemicals banned decades ago.

Leaking.

And littered across the ocean floor.

https://www.latimes.com/projects/la-coast-ddt-dumping-ground/

This is a largely unknown chapter in the most infamous case of environmental destruction off the coast — one lasting decades, costing tens of millions of dollars, frustrating generations of scientists. The fouling of the ocean was so reckless, some said, it seemed unimaginable.

As many as half a million of these barrels could still be underwater right now, according to interviews and a Times review of historical records, manifests and undigitized research. https://www.latimes.com/projects/la-coast-ddt-dumping-ground/

The nation’s largest DDT maker was based in L.A. For years, it dumped its waste into the sea.

Common wisdom at the time was that the ocean would dilute even the most dangerous poisons.

https://www.latimes.com/projects/la-coast-ddt-dumping-ground/

Let’s go!