"Here's what you need to know about toxic fallout from a major wildfire"
"The wildfires that ravaged the Los Angeles area have caused untold trauma, affecting hundreds of thousands of people. The Palisades and Eaton Fires alone have killed 28, consumed over 37,000 acres, and destroyed nearly 16,000 structures.
Not only are these fires taking a devastating emotional and financial toll, but they’re also exposing thousands of people to hazardous smoke and ash. As urban conflagrations such as these become more common in a warming world, learning about how smoke and debris can impact your health is just as important as knowing evacuation routes and what to put in a go-bag.
Even smoke from “conventional” forest and wildland fires is a complex mix of water vapor, gases like carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide, and volatile organic compounds such as formaldehyde. A large component is particulate matter, made up of organic and inorganic bits of varying sizes. Of special concern is PM 2.5, which refers to particles that are 2.5 microns or smaller. These tiny particles are especially dangerous because they can penetrate deep into the lungs and even into the bloodstream. ...
When a wildland fire moves into suburbia and starts consuming houses, vehicles, appliances, and the like, “lots of metals are being burned and lofted into the atmosphere,” says Wexler. “Some are really toxic.” Plumbing pipes release copper; car batteries emit lead; pressure-treated lumber contains chromium, copper, and arsenic."
Juliet Grable reports for Sierra magazine January 26, 2025.
SEE ALSO:
"Rain On The Way To LA Brings Fears Of Toxic Ash In Wake Of Wildfires" (AP)
Advertisement 
