Before rebuilding after Los Angeles wildfires, homeowners must address the hidden dangers of leftover asbestos, toxic debris, and contamination to protect health and property.

The recent wildfires raging across the Los Angeles region are not just a tragedy of loss and displacement; they present a looming public health crisis that will extend far beyond the immediate flames. As the fires subside and residents begin to assess the damage, a new set of dangers emerges, particularly concerning the air we breathe and the materials we handle: asbestos. This is not a distant, hypothetical threat, but a very real and present concern given the age of many structures in the region and the dangerous nature of asbestos exposure.

A Current Event: The Devastation and the Aftermath

The current event of the Los Angeles wildfires has left a scar on the landscape, impacting communities with devastating speed and force. Beyond the immediate threat of fire itself, the destruction leaves behind a dangerous mix of debris, ash, and potential health hazards. This debris includes not just burned wood and shattered glass, but also remnants of construction materials that could contain harmful substances, most notably asbestos. The scale of destruction is massive, necessitating a large-scale rebuilding effort, but this rebuild must be undertaken with utmost caution.

The Asbestos Legacy of Los Angeles

The Los Angeles region is home to a significant number of older buildings, many of which were built during or before the 1970s. During this period, asbestos was a widely used material in construction due to its fire-resistant and insulating properties. As a result, asbestos can be found in a variety of building materials. It was common in insulation, whether found in attics, walls, or wrapped around pipes. Roofing materials such as shingles, tiles, and felt often contained asbestos, as did floor tiles and their adhesives. Even cement pipes and boards, textured paints, and drywall joint compound can contain asbestos. This legacy is particularly relevant in areas impacted by the wildfires. As homes and businesses burn, these asbestos-containing materials do not simply incinerate; they break down and release fibers into the air. This creates a significant risk of exposure for firefighters, cleanup crews, and returning residents.

Why Asbestos is a Dangerous Threat

Asbestos fibers, when inhaled, can become lodged in the lung tissues, causing a range of serious and potentially fatal illnesses. These illnesses include Asbestosis, a chronic, progressive lung disease that causes scarring and shortness of breath. Asbestos exposure also greatly increases the risk of lung cancer, especially in smokers. A particularly dangerous cancer related to asbestos is mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer that affects the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart. These diseases often have a long latency period, meaning that symptoms may not appear for 10-50 years after exposure. This makes the immediate hazards of the fire a long-term health worry as well. What seems like just an irritation from smoke in the present could become a deadly disease down the line.

The Rebuilding, Demolition, and Renovation Dilemma

The process of rebuilding, demolition, and renovation in the aftermath of the fires presents significant challenges related to asbestos. Demolition of fire-damaged buildings requires extreme care. Simply tearing down structures can release asbestos fibers into the air, contaminating the surrounding area and exposing workers and residents to serious health risks. It’s important to remember that disturbed asbestos is much more dangerous than intact asbestos. The cleanup and debris removal process must also be handled by trained professionals who can identify and safely handle materials containing asbestos. Simply removing debris and dumping it at a landfill presents a public health hazard. Homeowners and contractors need to be particularly vigilant when rebuilding or renovating damaged properties. Older structures may contain previously undetected asbestos in walls, floors, or ceilings. If this material is disturbed without proper precautions, it can pose a health threat.

Official Guidance and Precautions

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has issued guidance on how to safely handle fire debris and identify potential hazards, as discussed in the article from the LA County Department of Public Health referenced below. This includes emphasizing the importance of personal protective equipment, such as respirators, when handling materials that might contain asbestos. The County is strongly advising property owners to not remove debris themselves, but to employ licensed and trained professionals. They also recommend consulting with state agencies regarding possible hazardous waste removal.

Furthermore, the California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR), in its guidance regarding asbestos hazards, clearly lays out the requirement for proper training and certification for anyone involved in asbestos abatement work. This includes proper protocols for removing, bagging, and disposing of asbestos, and that these measures must be in place to avoid exposing people to the dangers of asbestos. The DIR stresses that exposure can cause lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis.

Key Recommendations for Los Angeles Residents:

Given the potential dangers and the information available, the following is recommended for Los Angeles residents:

Assume the Worst: If your home or building was built before 1980, assume it contains asbestos.
Do Not Disturb: Do not attempt to demolish, clean, or renovate fire-damaged buildings yourself.
Hire Professionals: Engage licensed and certified asbestos abatement professionals for demolition, cleanup, and any necessary renovations.
Follow Official Guidance: Stay informed about the latest recommendations from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and other relevant agencies.
Use Protective Equipment: If you must be near fire debris or potentially asbestos-containing materials, wear proper protective gear, such as N95 respirators and disposable coveralls.
Ventilate: Keep indoor areas well ventilated when working around fire damage.
Limit Exposure: Be aware of your exposure risks, and limit them where possible. Don’t let children play in areas with ash or building debris.

The Long-Term Health Implications

The tragic wildfires in Maui serve as a stark and sobering parallel to the dangers currently facing Los Angeles. Just as in Los Angeles, the older infrastructure in Maui, including homes and businesses built before the 1980s, often incorporated asbestos-containing materials. The devastation caused by the fires in Maui released asbestos fibers into the environment, creating significant exposure risks for residents, first responders, and cleanup crews.

The risks associated with asbestos exposure are not short-term. The long latency periods of asbestos-related diseases mean that we are likely to see an increase in cases of asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma in the years and decades following these fires. A concerted effort must be made to minimize exposure today to prevent a future health crisis.