Wildfires in Los Angeles induce soil contamination with lead and harmful substances in scorched areas, outlining potential health hazards.
Exposed: Lurking Toxins in LA's Burn Zones
Hopping onto a wildfire cleanup bandwagon, we dived into LA's hotspots - Altadena and Pacific Palisades. Our mission: dig up the dirty truth about soil contamination the government refused to examine post-wildfire. * buckle up, folks!
Investigating the Toxic Terrain
Armed with boots, shovels, and a dash of courage, our team of intrepid journalists scooped soil samples from 20 properties cleared by the Army Corps, along with 20 homes that miraculously survived the inferno. The samples got sent to a state-certified lab in Fresno, BSK Associates, for a thorough analysis of 17 toxic metals.
A Toxic Smorgasbord
Here's the lowdown on the creepy crawlies lurking in LA's soil, listed in alphabetical order:
- Antimony: Used as a flame retardant and in semiconductors, this renegade can cause lung inflammation, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema upon prolonged exposure.
- Arsenic: This common element in the earth's crust can be fatal upon ingestion of high levels, while exposure to lower levels can trigger nausea, vomiting, and a host of other serious health issues.
- Barium: Commonly used in X-ray procedures, barium exposure can lead to gastrointestinal irritation, cardiovascular effects, kidney damage, and respiratory problems.
- Beryllium: Aerospace components, sports equipment, X-ray equipment are a few places where you'd find this heavy metal. Chronic inhalation can cause lung inflammation, leading to scarring and various lung diseases.
- Cadmium: A byproduct of battery production, cadmium can cause kidney disease upon long-term exposure. It's on the list of probable human carcinogens, with some studies linking it to lung cancer.
- Chromium: Observed in two forms, chromium 6 (a known carcinogen) is primarily produced for automotive and aviation parts, causing an increased risk of lung cancer upon prolonged exposure. Chromium 3, while less toxic, can transform into chromium 6 during wildfires.
- Cobalt: Essential for electronics and paints, cobalt can cause respiratory issues, kidney damage, and liver issues upon prolonged exposure.
- Copper: Commonly found in electrical wiring, plumbing, and building materials, copper is essential for humans but can cause gastrointestinal disturbance, liver and kidney damage when exposed to excessive amounts.
- Lead: Known for its use in car batteries and household paints, lead can cause permanent brain damage in children and a host of other issues, with no safe level in existence.
- Mercury: Once used in thermometers and medical devices, mercury is a neurotoxin that can lead to serious health issues including tremors, neurological symptoms, and even death.
- Molybdenum: Widely used in the production of cast iron, stainless steel, and solar panels, molybdenum can cause lung problems upon prolonged exposure.
- Nickel: Found in stainless steel and medical devices, nickel can cause respiratory effects and affect the stomach, liver, kidneys, immune system, and reproductive system. It's considered a suspected human carcinogen.
- Selenium: A dietary nutrient, selenium can cause brittle hair, deformed nails, and neurological effects when exposed to high levels.
- Silver: Mostly used in jewelry and electronics, silver can cause respiratory and gastrointestinal issues upon exposure.
- Thallium: Found in superconductors and gamma radiation detection equipment, thallium can cause gastrointestinal issues, neurological symptoms, and even death.
- Vanadium: Emitted by coal burning and steel production, vanadium can lead to respiratory issues, skin and eye irritation, and gastrointestinal problems such as nausea and vomiting.
- Zinc: Commonly found in the Earth's crust and essential for human health, zinc can cause metal-fume fever and various adverse outcomes when exposed to high levels.
The Dirt on Cleanup Goals
The state uses health-based cleanup goals to identify hazardous concentrations of each toxic metal, requiring recovery workers to remediate them. Background levels of these metals, established based on natural geology and community history, are crucial for cleanup efforts. Surprisingly, federal agencies chose not to test soil after the LA wildfires.
But who lets facts deter them, right? We dug deep, spotted the imminent danger, and are here to enlighten you on the contaminated LA landscape. Keep following for more jaw-dropping revelations!
Unmasking the Danger Lurking in LA's Backyard
The discovery of toxic metals in the soil of California's wildfire-hit regions, particularly LA's Altadena and Pacific Palisades, raises serious concerns about the health and wellness of local residents. These hazardous substances, including arsenic, barium, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, lead, mercury, molybdenum, nickel, selenium, silver, thallium, vanadium, and zinc, were found in soil samples collected from both Army Corps-cleared hotspots and surviving homes.
The list is a reminder that our environment, as influenced by various industries such as aerospace, electronics, and automotive, can pose risks to our health. Many of these metals, such as beryllium, cadmium, and nickel, are associated with respiratory issues upon prolonged exposure, while others like lead, mercury, and thallium can cause severe health problems, including brain damage, neurological symptoms, and even death.
The state government has established health-based cleanup goals to address hazardous concentrations of these toxic metals. However, it is alarming that federal agencies chose not to test soil post-wildfire, creating a gap in our understanding of the extent of environmental contamination and the associated health risks.
This revelation underscores the urgent need for diligent environmental monitoring and proactive government intervention, especially in the face of climate change-induced wildfire outbreaks. As the Rams take on sports arenas, let us not forget the silent, devastating battles being waged in our own backyards - the unseen impact of climate change on our health and environment. We must continue to unravel the truth, advocate for a cleaner, healthier California, and demanding a greater role from our government in preserving our planet and safeguarding our well-being.
