As thousands of Californians attempt to recover and rebuild after the devastating wildfires that swept through several counties early this year, a new danger has emerged — asbestos exposure — and it lingers in the ashes of what once were homes and communities.
Public health officials are now warning residents about the serious risks in the debris left behind by the fires.
Toxic Chemicals & Asbestos Exposure
“We’re going to urge that young children not be touching any of this contaminated debris because it’s filled with lead and asbestos,” Barbara Ferrer, Los Angeles County director of public health, told Pasadena Now about the risks of asbestos exposure. “We’ve had meltdowns of lithium batteries. You think of your houses as being relatively safe and they are, but when they burn, there’s a lot of toxicity there.”
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In hard-hit areas of Southern California, entire neighborhoods have been reduced to rubble. Many of the buildings destroyed were built decades ago, long before asbestos use was heavily restricted.
Now, as residents sift through the wreckage of their homes, some are unknowingly disturbing toxic particles that can lead to asbestos exposure and cause life-threatening illnesses. And for residents whose homes defied the deadly fires, they too are faced with deciding whether to stay in an area with toxic debris.
“We may not know all the dangers of this for years to come,” said Adam Van Gerpen, a hazmat specialist and fire captain with the Los Angeles Fire Department.
What is Asbestos?
Asbestos describes six minerals that occur naturally in the environment as bundles of fibers that can be separated into thin threads for commercial and industrial uses. The fibers are resistant to heat, fire and chemicals and do not conduct electricity.
Asbestos has been used widely in many industries, such as building and construction for strengthening cement and plastics as well as for insulation, roofing, fireproofing and sound absorption.
The use of asbestos products in the U.S. has declined significantly. However, older buildings and houses may have materials containing asbestos. California fire officials estimated that 73% of structures in the affected burn areas were built before 1980, raising further concerns about asbestos exposure.
The LA County Department of Public Health issued a warning saying homes within 250 yards of the two wildfires’ burn sites were at risk of exposure to asbestos, hazardous chemicals and heavy metals such as lead.
Why is Asbestos Exposure Dangerous?
When products containing asbestos are disturbed, tiny asbestos fibers are released into the air. If asbestos dust is inhaled or ingested, the fibers can become trapped in the lungs. Over time these trapped fibers can accumulate, causing inflammation and scarring, which can impact breathing and lead to serious health problems.
Malignant mesothelioma is one of the rarest and most aggressive cancers. Virtually all people who suffer from malignant mesothelioma have been exposed to asbestos. It is a devastating disease that attacks the mesothelium, which is the critical membrane that protects the lungs, heart, and abdomen.
It is estimated that 2,500 to 3,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with mesothelioma annually. Tragically, despite wide-ranging medical research, there is no cure.
Mesothelioma is not easy to diagnose. Unlike other forms of cancer, there are no early symptoms. Mesothelioma’s symptoms are often similar to the symptoms of other diseases. These symptoms commonly include shortness of breath, pain in the chest or abdomen, or a persistent cough.
How We Help Victims of Asbestos Exposure
Seek justice with the help of our experienced asbestos attorneys. Our mesothelioma law firm has represented asbestos exposure victims for over 40 years, aggressively fighting the corporate giants responsible for their dangerous products. If you or a loved one were exposed to asbestos or suffered from a disease caused by asbestos, like mesothelioma, we can help.
