Five stationary air monitors are expected to be placed around the Palisade and Eton Fires as crews work to remove debris from flame-affected homes.
South Coast AQMD, a group that monitors contaminants around Los Angeles County, discovered high levels of contaminants, such as lead and arsenic, on the day of the fire. And as cleanup efforts are underway, microparticles in the air pose a new threat.
“That’s why we put this extended air surveillance effort into it because it’s part of the concern,” said Jason Law, assistant executive officer of South Coast AQMD.
These levels have returned to normal as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report an 110-fold increase in certain lead levels compared to days before the January fire.
To help track these levels, mobile air monitors cruise through fire-affected areas.
“They evaluate not only temperamental toxic metals, but also temperamental temperament,” Lowe said.
The Eton Fire showed lead and arsenic levels below the state’s health threshold as of January 31st. Similar results emerged when the mobile unit investigated Palisade on February 10th.
However, it was detected in Altadena, probably due to increased levels of methane from the gas leak. According to Lowe, the results were reported to utilities and public health agencies.
The Los Angeles County Department partners with other institutions and educational institutions to sample soil, water and seawater. The work is scheduled to take place in March.
“We’ve been working hard to get into the world,” said Dr. Nicole Quick, Chief Medical Advisor for Los Angeles County. Ministry of Public Health.
Public health advisories are in effect for those living within 250 yards and remain in place until Phase 2 cleaning of more than 13,000 structures is complete.
Researchers at LMU, UCLA, and Purdue University are working together to collect soil and water samples from more than 1,000 homes within and around burn zones from both Palisades and Eaton Fire.
Fire Zone homeowners can sign up for a free soil test funded by the R&S Kayne Foundation by filling out the registration form here.
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