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Photo Credit: CAL FIRE_Official - Palisades Fire, Publioc Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=157677639
06 Jun 2025

Scientists study the toxic remains from the LA fires 2025: Hazardous chemicals, heavy metals, asbestos, PFAS, and microplastics:

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Following the January 2025 wildfires in Los Angeles, researchers from Harvard, UCLA,UC Davis, and UT Austin have launched a long-term study to assess the health risks posed by toxic pollutants left behind.

The LA Fire Health Study Consortium, backed by the Spiegel Family Fund, has pledged a 10-year investigation into the environmental and health impacts of the fires. 

Scientists are collecting samples from soil, air, drinking water, and dust in affected areas, including homes that were not directly burned but were exposed to smoke and debris.

The Eaton and Palisades fires killed 29 people, destroyed 16,000 structures, and exposed millions to hazardous chemicals, heavy metals, asbestos, PFAS, and microplastics.

 

Read the full articles:

After the Fires: This article from Inside Climate News is first in a series about health risks following the Los Angeles wildfires that destroyed Pacific Palisades and Altadena. This story was supported by the Pulitzer Center.

UCLA Health: What are the full impact of wildfires? 

 

Photo Credit: CAL FIRE_Official - Palisades Fire, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=157677639