Wildfires are indiscriminate. They don’t pause for zoning laws or heritage listings, nor do they tiptoe around structures built before environmental regulations tightened. When flames tear through Los Angeles – an ever-growing possibility in a region locked in a cycle of heat and drought – the air turns into a swirling cocktail of smoke, ash, and, disturbingly, microscopic toxins to really stick the boot in.

Among the most insidious of these toxins? Asbestos. When it comes to asbestos in older buildings, there are many material culprits, and tiles are one of the most overlooked yet pervasive offenders.

The Firestorm’s Toxic Legacy: What Burns, Stays

Wildfires don’t just consume – they transform. When buildings ignite, their materials disintegrate, releasing substances that were once safely bound within walls, roofs, and floors. For structures built before the late 1970s, asbestos was a staple ingredient in everything from insulation to cement siding; tiles – both floor and ceiling varieties – were no exception. Once hailed for their durability and fire resistance, they now lurk as a hidden hazard when fires rip through old neighborhoods.

Asbestos exposure isn’t an immediate, dramatic poisoning – it’s a silent predator. When disturbed, asbestos fibers disperse into the air, invisible and deadly. Inhaling them doesn’t cause immediate distress, which is precisely why the long-term consequences – lung diseases like asbestosis, mesothelioma, and lung cancer – have a habit of sneaking up stealthily, often decades later.

Tragically, this problem is more thant theoretical. When Maui’s recent wildfires turned homes to rubble, asbestos warnings were issued immediately, underscoring the growing concern over these hazardous materials lingering in the ashes of modern disasters. The same risks now apply to Los Angeles, where historic buildings often still harbor these outdated materials.

Hidden Dangers in Ash and Soot

Asbestos isn’t the only concern – soot and ash from burned buildings contain a cocktail of toxic substances. Public health officials note that even areas with no visible ashfall can still have dangerous airborne particles; the unpredictability of wind patterns makes it impossible to determine where asbestos fibers might settle, reinforcing the need for long-term air monitoring after a fire.

Air Quality Risks Beyond Immediate Fire Zones

Even if a building isn’t directly in a wildfire’s path, toxic particulates – including asbestos fibers – can travel far beyond the burn zone. Los Angeles County Public Health officials warn that wildfire smoke carries fine particles that may accumulate indoors, even when not visible. This adds another layer of risk for those living or working in older buildings that contain asbestos tiles; long after the flames are extinguished, lingering airborne pollutants can continue to pose a threat.

A Legacy in Tile: Why It’s Still an Issue

The wide age-range of buildings in Los Angeles is surprising, with constructions spanning from 1890 up to the present day. Step into any pre-1970s Los Angeles home, and you’re likely standing on or under asbestos. Vinyl floor tiles, linoleum backing, acoustic ceiling tiles – all of these materials contained asbestos, prized for its fire resistance and tensile strength. Builders of that generation thought they were reinforcing homes; in reality, they were embedding an atrocious environmental hazard.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) didn’t fully ban asbestos-containing tiles until the late 1980s, though manufacturers had started phasing them out earlier. The issue? Asbestos doesn’t break down over time. It doesn’t rot, dissolve, or conveniently disappear – it just sits there, dormant until disturbed. And wildfires are the ultimate disturbance.

Pre-Demolition Nightmares: The Challenges of Safe Removal

Fire isn’t the only culprit. Even before a single match is struck, asbestos-laden buildings pose problems for renovation and demolition. California has strict asbestos regulations, requiring inspections and abatement procedures before any structural work begins. The process is expensive, meticulous, and necessary – because a single broken tile can send asbestos fibers into the air, where they remain indefinitely.

For corporations and property managers, the stakes are particularly high. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) mandates stringent worker protections during asbestos removal, and failure to comply can result in hefty fines, lawsuits, and worse – lifelong health consequences for employees. Just last year, a California contractor faced significant penalties for improper asbestos handling.

The nightmare scenario? A business purchases an older property, starts renovations, and disturbs asbestos-laden tiles without proper precautions. Employees then breathe in the fibers, and years later, health problems emerge. Lawsuits follow. The impact on the employee’s life and that of their families? Catastrophic. The financial and reputational damage? Immense.

Workplace Safety and Post-Fire Cleanup

Many businesses focus on rebuilding after a wildfire, but few realize that post-fire cleanup efforts can create secondary asbestos exposure risks. Los Angeles County has advised schools, workplaces, and public facilities to limit outdoor activities when air quality is poor, but indoor contamination is also a concern; employers conducting post-fire renovations or demolition must comply with asbestos abatement regulations to protect workers and avoid liability.

What Employers and Employees Need to Know

Workplace training around asbestos awareness isn’t a luxury – it’s a necessity. Employees in industries like construction, real estate development, and property management need to recognize potential asbestos hazards, understand the importance of testing, and follow protocols for safe handling.

Protecting Indoor Spaces Post-Wildfire

After a wildfire, protecting indoor air quality becomes a priority. Public health officials recommend using air purifiers with HEPA filters and avoiding the use of standard air conditioning systems that pull in outdoor air. Since asbestos fibers released from burned tiles can remain airborne, workers in affected areas should also take extra precautions by wearing high-filtration masks (N95 or P100) and avoiding unnecessary outdoor exposure.

A Few Key Takeaways:

Identify Risks Before Breaking Ground
- Before any renovation or demolition, older buildings should be inspected by certified asbestos professionals. Testing is the only way to confirm if asbestos is present.
Proper Containment is Essential
- If asbestos is found, don’t DIY. Licensed abatement professionals must remove it safely to prevent airborne contamination.
Training Saves Lives
- Employees who work in older buildings should undergo asbestos safety training; knowing what to look for and when to call an expert can prevent exposure.
Air Quality After Wildfires Matters
- Post-fire cleanup isn’t just about debris removal. Air quality warnings should be taken seriously, as microscopic asbestos fibers can linger for weeks.

A Future-Proof Approach to Asbestos Awareness

Los Angeles is a city built on layers of history – and some of those layers, unfortunately, are toxic. Asbestos-laden tiles remain in thousands of homes and commercial properties, waiting for the next wildfire, renovation, or careless demolition to bring them back into circulation. The only way to counter this invisible threat is through proactive awareness, corporate training, and strict adherence to safety regulations.

Ignorance isn’t bliss – it’s liability. And in the case of asbestos, it’s a liability that could take decades to reveal itself, long after the embers have cooled. For businesses, workers, and homeowners alike, vigilance is the only safeguard against a hazard that refuses to fade with time.