LA Wildfires Release Hazardous Lead Into Atmosphere
A new study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals that the wildfires in Los Angeles released harmful levels of airborne lead into the atmosphere. The study found that during the fires, which raged between January 8 and January 11, lead concentrations spiked to 110 times higher than normal, as measured by an air monitoring station located 14 miles from the Eaton Canyon fire.
These elevated lead levels persisted for three days before returning to typical concentrations. The research team, led by Nga Ng, a professor at Georgia Tech, noted that the release of heavy metals such as lead during urban fires is not uncommon. In areas like California, where legacy pollutants from older buildings, industrial activities, and soils are present, these pollutants can be re-released into the air by wildfires.
On January 9, lead levels reached a peak of 0.5 micrograms per cubic meter, far above the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) air quality standard of 0.15 micrograms per cubic meter over a three-month rolling average. However, the health implications of such short-term exposure to elevated lead levels remain unclear. Lead is known to be a toxic substance that accumulates in the body, affecting various organ systems and posing significant risks, especially to children. The EPA has linked lead exposure to developmental issues in children, such as learning disabilities and behavioral problems.
Despite the concern, the researchers emphasized that the specific health effects of brief periods of high lead exposure, like those observed during the wildfires, are not fully understood. They called for further research to determine the full impact, as higher lead levels in the air do not necessarily equate to direct human exposure. The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that no level of lead exposure is considered safe.
The study also highlighted the significant progress made in reducing airborne lead levels in the U.S., which have dropped by 97% since 1980 due to policies that eliminated lead from sources like gasoline, plumbing, and household paints.
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