Even as firefighters douse the deadly LA wildfires, a more insidious danger remains. Chemicals from the ashy residue of thousands of burned homes and cars, scorched plastic pipes and even lifesaving fire retardants have blanketed parts of the region.
And that may jeopardize the immediate health of people living near burn zones for months to come. Long-term health consequences are also possible.
“There’s a general misperception that after the flames go out the hazard has gone away,” says Joseph Allen, who directs the Harvard Healthy Buildings Program. Wildfires’ aftermath may expose people to toxic chemicals and harmful particles in the air and water both outside and inside their homes,