How Dangerous Is the Asbestos in the Air After a Wildfire? Experts Weigh In
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The wildfires that have ripped through Greater Los Angeles neighborhoods have destroyed more than 12,000 homes and buildings. Crews are continuing to work to get the Eaton and Palisades fires under control. But while some area evacuees can return to their homes and start thinking about the rebuilding process, public health experts caution that toxins could be lingering in the air, including asbestos, a hazardous pollutant that cannot be monitored in air quality indexes.
Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that home manufacturers used decades ago because it’s durable, heat-resistant, and good for insulating, explains Michelle Whitmer, asbestos expert and writer with The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com. However, workers who handled asbestos products began developing health issues and cancers, which led to safety regulations starting in the 1970s, she says. Even though the toxin isn’t used in new builds, asbestos still exists in roofing, siding, flooring, drywall, insulation, and even those popcorn ceilings in buildings that were constructed before the 1980s.
Asbestos fibers are fire-resistant and can survive extreme temperatures up to 1,600 degrees Fahrenheit, Whitmer says. "As wildfires burn through older homes and buildings, asbestos-containing materials become brittle and damaged,” she says. “When fire damages old building materials, it can release asbestos fibers, which are microscopic and easily inhaled.”
Nearly three-quarters of structures in the Palisades area alone were built before 1980, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, which means there’s significant potential for asbestos to become airborne and travel by wind throughout the area. This situation poses health risks to the region’s residents, firefighters, first responders, and cleanup crews, Whitmer says.
While the Los Angeles area fires are front of mind right now, here’s what everyone in wildfire-prone areas should know about asbestos and air quality after a fire.
First, Why Is Asbestos a Health Concern?
Asbestos exposure can cause major health effects including lung cancer, mesothelioma, a cancer that’s found in the thin lining of the lung, chest, abdomen, and heart, and asbestosis, a long-term, progressive lung disease, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
Generally speaking, the greater the exposure to asbestos, the greater the chance of developing harmful health problems, the EPA says.
Health risks associated with asbestos exposure most often develop several decades after working with the mineral for years, Whitmer says. While repeated heavy exposure poses the greatest risk, people should always try to avoid asbestos because even low-level exposure can lead to diseases later in life, she says.
Important Things to Know About Asbestos Exposure After a Fire
During wildfires, air quality suffers because winds carry smoke and pollutants. Breathing in the smoke can cause wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and worsen asthma. The poor air quality can also irritate your eyes, nose, and throat. Checking your local air quality rating on AirNow, a site run by the EPA, is a good first step, but these ratings don’t take asbestos into account.
Here are four important things to keep in mind about asbestos exposure during a wildfire.
1. Asbestos Fibers Can Linger in the Air
Asbestos fibers can remain suspended in the air for hours to days depending on factors like wind, rain, and fiber size, Whitmer says.
“Once airborne, they can settle on surfaces but may be rereleased if disturbed,” she says.
Wildfire debris contaminated with asbestos requires specialized handling and disposal by an asbestos abatement professional to prevent further exposure.
2. Don’t Disturb Ash or Debris
Ash and debris left in a fire’s wake might contain asbestos fibers, Whitmer says, which is why it’s important to keep children and pets away from the affected area. While you can wet the debris lightly with water to reduce airborne dust, don’t use any high-pressure sprays, she says. Also, do not sweep, vacuum up, handle, or try to dispose of any ash because this disturbance can release asbestos fibers into the air.
3. Let Professionals Handle the Debris Removal
Homeowners should not attempt debris cleanup themselves after a wildfire because improper handling of ash and debris can increase asbestos exposure risks, Whitmer says.
When emergency officials determine the area is safe, that’s when federal and state debris removal teams will move into the areas leveled by wildfires and take on this type of dangerous work, using specialized equipment. Cleanup happens in two phases: Hazardous waste removal and then structural debris removal, Whitmer says.
4. Wear the Correct Mask
While wearing an N95 mask can prevent inhalation of fine particles in smoke, it unfortunately can’t prevent asbestos exposure, Whitmer says. Be sure to look for respirators with certain filters, including N100, R100, or P100 filters, which can prevent exposure to both smoke and asbestos, she says.
“If you’re returning to an area that sustained significant damage and may encounter asbestos-contaminated debris, you may consider wearing an appropriately rated respirator, gloves, goggles, and protective clothing,” she says.
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