Los Angeles school named after Al Gore -- but it's on toxic contaminated soil...

First-grade teacher Yolanda Alcala, left, and plant manager Gary Cabiness bring in supplies to the new Carson-Gore Academy of Environmental Sciences, scheduled to open Sept. 13. The campus was built atop contaminated land. (Irfan Khan, Los Angeles Times / September 6, 2010)

He's the first vice president to have an L.A. school named after him, sharing the honor with author Rachel Carson. Fittingly, the campus will be devoted to environmental themes. But there's a catch.

(By Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times) - Al Gore has had some tough breaks — like losing the presidency after getting more votes than the other guy — but the noted environmentalist achieved a singular honor last week, becoming the first vice president to have a Los Angeles school named after him.

And, fittingly, the school will be devoted to environmental themes.

But as in the 2000 election, there's a catch. Critics say the campus' location poses a long-term health risk to students and staff.