Toni Boucher felt a wave of nausea when she first encountered the scorched remnants of her home and neighborhood following the recent wildfires that devastated the Los Angeles region. After living in Altadena for many years, she is now debating whether it is worthwhile to return to her property to search for her grandmother’s wedding ring amidst the ashes.
Boucher’s concerns extend beyond the emotional trauma of witnessing such destruction; she is also anxious about potential health hazards that could arise from the aftermath of the fire. “They talk about asbestos and lead, and everything that has burned in these homes poses a danger,” she expressed.
Experts caution that the fires have triggered intricate chemical reactions affecting various materials — from paint and furniture to appliances and personal belongings — which can convert typical items into toxic ash that needs to be handled with care. This ash could harbor dangerous substances, including lead, asbestos, and arsenic, alongside many contemporary synthetic materials.
“Ash is not merely ash,” emphasized Scott McLean, a former deputy chief at the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. “Consider what your home’s contents are made of. Many items are made from petroleum byproducts and composites that can pose serious hazards when combusted.”
This becomes particularly dangerous as individuals begin to sift through the fire damage. Research indicates that those engaged in cleanup efforts in these ash-laden environments might be at risk from inhalation of harmful remnants.
Even everyday materials typically deemed safe, like titanium dioxide found in paint or copper from plumbing, can react differently after a fire, according to environmental health expert Mohammed Baalousha from the University of South Carolina. He has been analyzing ash samples to better understand the transformations occurring due to wildfire damage.
Scientists are still grappling with the broader implications these chemical changes may have on public health, not only in California but also in other regions affected by wildfires, such as Maui, where residents were barred from returning to toxic areas for nearly two months, raising concerns over lasting health consequences.
In California, access to many areas devastated by fire has been restricted while officials work on restoring utilities, conducting safety assessments, and searching for missing persons. Some substances released during wildfires have been associated with cardiovascular issues and impaired lung function, while others, such as more mobile forms of arsenic and chromium, could have toxic effects if inhaled. Additionally, magnetite, formed when iron burns, has been linked with Alzheimer’s disease.
Baalousha notes the complexity of determining all potential health impacts due to the numerous chemical reactions involved and the vast array of substances yet to be fully analyzed. He draws parallels to health issues seen in individuals exposed to dust during the September 11 attacks, suggesting that even short-term exposure can lead to various illnesses.
Jackson Webster, a civil engineering professor at California State University, Chico, reflected on the increased occurrences of various ailments among those who briefly responded to the World Trade Center disaster, underscoring the long-term healthcare implications of exposure to hazardous environments.
Researchers are also concerned with the disposal of hazardous debris, which could contaminate water supplies or marine ecosystems, a pressing issue that experts in Hawaii are investigating following last year’s tragic fire on Maui.
As ongoing research thrives, individuals returning to their homes in California are urged to prioritize their safety. Baalousha advised, “Amidst the emotional strain, it’s easy to let your guard down, but that’s not advisable. Equip yourself with protective gear — at least an N95 mask and gloves — to safeguard your health while you cope with your property loss.”
He concluded by stressing the importance of remaining cautious, as health should not be compromised in the quest to reclaim what was lost.
