The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department issued warnings to Altadena deputies about toxins like asbestos being in the air. Deputies are recommended to wear N95 masks to help prevent toxin inhalation. The Fire Department’s hazmat team in Altadena said the air is hazardous, containing lead, asbestos, and other harmful particulates. Many deputies have reported having red, burning eyes as well as coughs and headaches. Since January 7, 2025 flames have consumed thousands of homes and buildings across southern California. When these fires burn, they cause asbestos fibers to be released and to become airborne, leading to them being inhaled by the local population.
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection estimates that 73 percent of all structures in the area of the wildfires were built before 1980. Asbestos can be in products like cement sheets, drywall, floor tiles, insulation, and roof adhesives, leading to risks of inhalation. Asbestos will be in the burned down structures so it is best to wear a mask if near smoke to prevent inhalation of any asbestos fibers. When in the area wear a mask and if the area is especially smoky, avoid being outside as best as you can. Deputies’ uniforms also need to be decontaminated so the whole firehouse does not become contaminated. This can also help prevent workers from bringing home asbestos to their families.
After the fires are out, residents might want to return to their homes and search for beloved or valuable items. When going through the ash, it is dangerous because it is disturbing the toxic materials and making them airborne. Experts claim that ash left behind from fires like this can release lead or arsenic from burned paint, batteries, and pesticides. When sifting through fire damaged materials, people are putting their health at risk. When fires affected Maui in 2023, officials warned residents to avoid the debris. People were kept from contaminated areas of the island for almost two months. Surveys after the Maui fires found that smoke and ash exposure raised heart and kidney issues in the population. It will take a long time for researchers to find out all the potential health risks from the particles. Many complex chemical reactions are taking place and it will take a long time for them to be studied.
The fire dangers in southern California are still ongoing. The Hughes fire in Los Angeles started on January 22, 2025, and alone threatens 14,000 structures. The Department of Forestry and Fire Protection says that only one of six fires in southern California is nearly contained. The situation continues to evolve. Much needed rain is forecasted, but this means mudslides could become the next threat. This could spread asbestos contaminated debris even further. There is no safe level of asbestos exposure. Inhaling or ingesting the fibers can lead to inflammation and scarring, causing cancer over time. The primary cause of mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. It can also cause other diseases including asbestosis, lung cancer, throat cancer, colorectal cancer, and ovarian cancer.
