Fire in California once again has plunged thousands into displacement and leaves communities in tatters. While there are mandatory evacuation orders in effect in the Los Angeles area, the fire is racing forward to destroy houses, businesses, schools, and industrial buildings. As the fires burn, Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency and worries are growing about exposure to toxic, legacy asbestos as flames ravage the buildings.
The Invisible Danger: Legacy Asbestos in Consumed Structures
Most older structures built during America's mid-20th century commonly contain low-grade asbestos, which has now been designated highly hazardous to human health. These wildfires burn away these buildings, while also releasing asbestos fibers to the air, supported by soot, ash, and smoke. The winds, which gusted up to 100 miles an hour in parts of Los Angeles, are making the risk of dispersion that much worse.
Linda Reinstein, President of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization, states, “This is a very serious situation; with so many buildings being lost, it is hard to tell how many may harbor legacy asbestos within them. The area upon which asbestos has contaminated is immeasurable.”
The Bad Health Effects of Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos is a health threat on multiple levels. Asbestos fibers are very small, easily airborne, and carry against the lung tissues, causing between acute and chronic lung inflammation. This may result in serious illnesses and diseases, such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, laryngeal cancer, and asbestosis. It is also important to remember that there is no safe level of exposure; prevention is key even for persons already residing within those areas.
Assistant Medical Director Dr. Puneet Gupta with Los Angeles County Fire Department reported that the emergency departments have lately increased respiratory complaints, but the extent of health impact is still being assessed.
Early Health Risks of Asbestos
Asbestos exposure carries devastating and serious health risks. When inhaled, asbestos fibers can safely nestle into lung tissues, causing inflammation, scarring, and even mutating cellular DNA. This is the zone for serious illnesses: mesothelioma, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, laryngeal cancer, asbestosis, etc. A safe level of asbestos exposure does not exist, therefore, it is essential for preventive actions to be taken for communities related to affected areas.
Dr. Puneet Gupta has indicated a rise in cases of respiratory problems in emergency rooms while the health impact continues to be assessed.
Be safe during and after a wildfire: Immediate Safety Measures
Evacuate if asked: If asked to evacuate, leave immediately. Know your community's evacuation routes.
Wear Respirators: Confine yourself to your N-100 or P-100 respirator in order to avoid inhaling airborne asbestos fibers.
Reduce Indoor Pollution: Use portables purifier air types that help clean your indoor air.
After-the-Fire Precautions
There is an asbestos threat after the fire has extinguished. Toxic fibers could remain airborne anywhere from a couple of hours to days, contaminating lands and water sources. Certain precautions are to be followed post-fire cleanup:
Do not disturb: Other than moving very damaged construction materials, do not touch the area.
Use the right tool: A HEPA vacuum should be used for cleaning soot and ash. Deploy water on materials likely to interest you in case they contained asbestos to prevent any fibers from becoming airborne.
Dispose of waste properly: Bag debris double and seal for disposal with plastic sheeting and duct sealed with duct tape.
Hire specialists: For large-scale asbestos removal, call a licensed asbestos abatement company to safely test, handle, and properly dispose of it according to regulation. One such company is RidAway. It is EPA-approved, state-licensed, and industry-certified, and guarantees a complete asbestos removal.
Public awareness, safety practices, and, of course, professional intervention are what this situation demands if the lives and health of residents are to stand a chance in the weeks and months ahead when California confronts wildfires and asbestos contamination.
Protect the health and safety of your family by scheduling asbestos abatement today.
