25-03-2025
L.A. Firefighters Show Elevated Lead and Mercury Levels After Wildfires
The Palisades and Eaton fires ravaged over 37,800 acres, demolished thousands of structures, and claimed lives. Crews from across California and beyond worked tirelessly to contain the flames and help displaced Angeles County Department of Public Health launched the L.A. Fire Health Study to investigate the long-term impacts of the wildfires. The study focuses on two main goals: examining present pollutants—their levels and changes over time—and determining if the fires correlate with health concerns among nearby after the fires began, Dr. Kari Nadeau, chair of the Department of Environmental Health at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, collected blood samples from 20 Northern California firefighters who assisted with the Palisades and Eaton initial testing revealed that these firefighters, who primarily fought burning trees rather than homes or vehicles, had lead levels five times higher and mercury levels three times higher than a control group. Long-term lead exposure can cause significant health problems, including lung issues, heightened Alzheimer's risk, and increased cancer doctors note that most L.A. residents didn't inhale the same concentration of toxins and ash as frontline firefighters, Nadeau's team plans to continue monitoring the initially tested firefighters, other first responders, and L.A. residents who were exposed to the fires."This was an environmental and health disaster that will unfold over decades," Nadeau and other specialists recommend residents avoid smoke to prevent inhaling particles from debris. When outside, wearing an N-95 mask offers protection."By bringing together experts from across multiple institutions and disciplines, we can rigorously examine the health effects from the wildfires' toxic particles and gases that have spread hundreds of miles beyond the fire zones and provide the communities with this information in real time," said Nadeau.
