California’s Asbestos Legacy: How Wildfires Expose an Old Threat

California’s picturesque landscapes and chill vibes have long been overshadowed by the threat of wildfires.

In recent years, these fires have not only consumed vast tracts of land, but have also unveiled the hidden danger of asbestos. As flames engulf structures built during an era in which asbestos was a common construction material, toxic fibers are released into the environment, posing significant health risks to residents, first responders and anyone in the vicinity.

The Prevalence of Asbestos in California’s Buildings

Asbestos was extensively incorporated into building materials throughout the mid-20th century; in Los Angeles, a substantial portion of the housing stock dates back to this period. According to data, as of the 2000 Census, approximately 82.7% of Los Angeles housing units were built in 1979 or earlier. This includes 16.7% constructed in 1939 or earlier, 33.5% between 1940 and 1959, 17.5% between 1960 and 1969, and 15% between 1970 and 1979. More recent data also indicates that, as of 2019, around 85% of Los Angeles’ housing stock was constructed before 1990, with only 15% built in the subsequent three decades. 

Beyond residential homes, asbestos was also once widely utilized in commercial buildings, schools and industrial facilities; roofing materials, insulation, siding and flooring of the era often contained asbestos, making demolition and disaster response efforts particularly hazardous. Additionally, California’s rich history of shipbuilding meant that asbestos was prevalent in naval and maritime structures, further contributing to the state’s environmental asbestos burden.

Wildfires: Catalysts for Asbestos Exposure

When wildfires sweep through areas with older structures, the intense heat can damage asbestos-containing materials, causing them to become brittle and release microscopic fibers into the air. Once airborne, these fibers – invisible to the naked eye – can be easily inhaled, leading to severe health issues. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health emphasizes that inhalation of asbestos fibers can cause serious illnesses, including lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma. 

Friable Asbestos – Easily inhalable when airborne

Notably, asbestos fibers do not break down in the environment, meaning that, once released, they can linger in soil, water and debris for extended periods. This persistence increases the likelihood of secondary exposure, particularly when post-wildfire cleanup efforts disturb contaminated materials; the risk is especially high in urban-wildland interface zones, where older buildings are interspersed with natural landscapes prone to fires.

The danger is exacerbated during wildfires, as the chaotic environment makes it particularly challenging to control the spread of these hazardous particles.

Recent Incidents Highlighting the Threat

The 2025 wildfires in the Los Angeles area serve as a stark reminder of this hazard. The Palisades Fire, for instance, not only destroyed numerous structures, but also released hazardous materials, including asbestos, into the environment. Similar concerns were raised following the 2018 Camp Fire, which devastated the town of Paradise, leaving behind massive amounts of toxic debris. The cleanup effort costs ran into the billions, requiring extensive asbestos abatement; donned in protective gear, environmental workers race against time to clear toxic debris, meticulously sorting and removing materials laden with asbestos to pave the way for safe rebuilding efforts. 

Health Implications of Asbestos Exposure

Once inhaled, asbestos fibers can lodge in the lungs and remain there for years, causing inflammation and scarring; over time, this can lead to serious diseases such as mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer. The latency period for asbestos-related diseases can span decades, meaning individuals exposed today might not manifest symptoms until many years later- a delayed onset that makes it imperative to minimize exposure and implement stringent safety measures during and after wildfire events.

Additionally, research suggests that wildfire smoke may exacerbate the risks associated with asbestos exposure. The combination of fine particulate matter, toxic gasses, and airborne asbestos fibers creates a particularly harmful cocktail that can worsen respiratory conditions, especially for individuals with preexisting lung diseases such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Protective Measures and Recommendations

In light of these dangers, it’s crucial for residents and workers in wildfire-prone areas to take proactive steps to protect themselves:

Use of Protective Equipment

Wearing N-100 or P-100 respirators can help prevent inhalation of airborne asbestos fibers during and after a wildfire; standard cloth or surgical masks are in no way sufficient to block asbestos fibers, so proper respiratory protection is essential.

Safe Cleanup Practices

Avoid disturbing ash and debris without proper protection. It’s advisable to hire professionals trained in hazardous material removal to handle cleanup operations; California law mandates strict asbestos abatement procedures, and failure to comply can result in fines and increased health risks.

Awareness and Education

Understanding the risks associated with asbestos exposure and staying informed about the presence of asbestos in older buildings can aid in making informed decisions during rebuilding efforts. Local health departments often provide guidance on asbestos mitigation, and residents should take advantage of these resources to ensure safety.

Moreover, policymakers and emergency response teams must integrate asbestos risk assessments into disaster preparedness plans; funding for safer rebuilding materials and improved asbestos abatement training for first responders could significantly reduce long-term health consequences.

Proper Abatement the Only Way

Proper asbestos abatement is critical to ensuring the safety of both workers and residents in wildfire-affected areas; improper handling of asbestos-contaminated debris can lead to further fiber dispersal, increasing long-term health risks. 

Licensed asbestos abatement professionals follow strict protocols, including wetting materials to prevent airborne fibers, using sealed disposal containers, and conducting thorough air quality testing. It’s important to address, however, that disasters often attract opportunistic scammers who pose as legitimate cleanup crews, but lack proper certification and training; a prime example of this occurred when a New York-based company was caught falsifying asbestos inspection reports, resulting in a $6 million fraud case. The company knowingly submitted fraudulent reports stating that asbestos was not present in buildings that, in reality, contained hazardous levels of the material, putting countless individuals at risk. 

Fraudulent operators may cut corners, dispose of hazardous waste illegally, or even charge exorbitant fees for substandard work. Residents should verify the credentials of any asbestos removal service, check for state licensing, and be wary of contractors pressuring them into immediate agreements. Government agencies and consumer protection organizations provide resources to help homeowners identify trustworthy professionals and avoid falling victim to scams.

As California continues to grapple with the dual challenges of wildfires and aging infrastructure, acknowledging and addressing the asbestos threat is paramount. Through informed actions and stringent safety protocols, the state can mitigate the health risks posed by this invisible danger