Despite continuing cleaning operations in Altadena and Pacific Pallisard to remove debris in the aftermath of the January wildfire, many families were unable to return home, primarily due to carcinogens and other harmful toxins within their properties.
It was estimated that more than 50 homes in the Altadena area torched by Eton Fire have contaminants like lead and asbestos, according to a neighbourhood group called Eton Fire Resident United.
The findings were mapped after grassroots organizations asked neighbors to provide air quality and toxin test results anonymously.
“98% of the 57 tests spanning Altadena, northern Pasadena and Western Sierra Madre all show positive for contaminants,” said Jill Lawton Potel, who is worried about toxins in the home, as it is only 150 or 200 feet from the three combustion structures.
Nicole McCalla, who remains in the house after Eton Fire, doesn’t know that she and her family will eventually be able to return home after testing the property positive for lead and asbestos.
McCalla was preparing to return to her home with her two children with chronic asthma and her mom with COPD and asthma, so she decided to pay $2,500 to test the toxins.
“It tests a test that is positive for lead and positive for wildfire debris,” the homeowner said, adding that her insurance refused to cover the testing costs. “Unfortunately, we couldn’t do any really extensive testing because we had too much money.”
According to McCalla, the full effect of the fire is not yet known, as many old homes may contain asbestos.
Eton Fire victims like her and Lawton Potel are hoping that the state and county will carry out a wider test.
“We need guidance on the types of tests we need and how to make them affordable to people, and then how to get the right repair steps right,” McCalla said.
Lawton Potel proposed that California’s disaster relief laws would be more involved in toxins and contaminants testing.
“(The state) may help people who can’t pay for this type of test, or perhaps not insured, or have a California fair plan.
In response to the complaint, LA County told NBC Los Angeles it would not track indoor testing of private property, adding that owners could hire certified experts.
The California Department of Health and Emergency Services did not answer NBCLA questions.
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