The recent wildfires in Los Angeles have not only destroyed thousands of structures but have also released a dangerous cocktail of toxic chemicals into the air, posing a severe threat to public health. The burning of homes and other urban structures has introduced lead, asbestos, chlorine, and other hazardous substances into the smoke, leading to alarming spikes in air pollution levels.
The aftermath of the devastating Los Angeles wildfires is just beginning to be measured, and the results are alarming. Air quality in the city has plummeted to toxic levels due to the burning of both the Pacific Palisades and most of Altadena, a town north of Pasadena. Over 15,000 structures were destroyed in the fires, sending plumes of toxic ash into the air that contained lead, asbestos, and numerous other hazardous chemicals.
Researchers say the spiking levels of these pollutants highlight the increased danger posed by wildfires when homes, cars, and other structures are involved. Lead, often found in paint and pipes in older homes, and chlorine and other chemicals released when plastics melt or combust, are now major contributors to wildfire smoke. These fires, according to Haroula Baliaka, a Ph.D. candidate in atmospheric chemistry at the California Institute of Technology, are “a wake-up call.” She emphasizes that they are “no longer just about burning trees and grass,” but have evolved into “urban wildfires, fueled by the very materials that make up our homes and cities.”The long-term consequences of these toxic emissions are deeply concerning. Exposure to airborne lead can cause severe damage to the brain and nervous system, particularly in children. Chlorine and other chemicals present in the smoke can also pose significant threats to lung health. Furthermore, standard air quality measurements often fail to capture the full extent of the danger posed by these microscopic particles, leaving the public unaware of the true risks they face.
WILDFIRE AIR POLLUTION TOXIC CHEMICALS PUBLIC HEALTH LOS ANGELES
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