Wildfires in Los Angeles have left lead and other hazardous substances in the soil of affected areas, outlining potential health threats.
Toxic Soil Lurking in L.A.'s Burn Zones: A Times Investigation Uncovers Unsafe Levels of Lead in Altadena and Pacific Palisades
A Times investigation sparks concern as toxic levels of lead are found in soil in Altadena and Pacific Palisades, a revelation that the government had refused to test after the LA wildfires. The findings highlight the necessity for careful assessment of area soils, especially after disasters like fires.
Fire-Fueled Health Hazards
After the Eaton and Palisades fires swept through old homes layered with lead paint and asbestos, kitchen cabinets filled with cleaning supplies, and damaged electronic devices, federal officials abandoned the tradition of testing soil in wildfire zones in California to ensure the safety of the return of the residents. However, testing conducted by The Times for this investigation revealed excessive levels of arsenic, lead, and mercury in residential properties within the burn zone, including areas marked as safe by federal officials with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Toxic Metals in Soil
This article will examine 17 toxic metals commonly found in soil, listing them alphabetically, and discussing their potential health risks: Antimony, Arsenic, Barium, Beryllium, Cadmium, Chromium, Cobalt, Copper, Lead, Mercury, Molybdenum, Nickel, Selenium, Silver, Thallium, and Vanadium. Each metal will be summarized, drawing on relevant insights from the enrichment data to offer the reader a better understanding of its properties, common uses, and potential health effects.
Antimony
Antimony is used for hardening lead batteries, as a flame retardant, and in the production of some semiconductors. High levels of antimony exposure can lead to lung inflammation, chronic bronchitis, and chronic emphysema in the long term.
- Cleanup goals for soil are 31 mg/kg.
Arsenic
Arsenic, a known carcinogen, is commonly found in air, water, and soil, as well as in paints, pesticides, and batteries. High arsenic consumption can lead to acute poisoning, with symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea, while chronic exposure may result in skin, circulatory, and neurological issues.
- Cleanup goals for soil vary based on naturally occurring arsenic levels, typically ranging from 2 to 11 mg/kg. Per the enrichment data, no official goals for the Palisades or Eaton fires have been set.
Barium
Typically used in X-ray procedures and as a pigment in fireworks, high levels of barium exposure can cause gastrointestinal irritation, cardiovascular effects, kidney damage, and respiratory problems.
- Cleanup goals for soil are 15,000 mg/kg.
Beryllium
Beryllium can be found in aerospace components, sports equipment, and some electronics. Exposure can result in respiratory issues and potentially an increased risk of lung cancer.
- Cleanup goals for soil are 16 mg/kg.
Cadmium
Cadmium is a byproduct of smelting other metals and can be found in electronics, plastics, and cellphone batteries. Exposure to cadmium can lead to kidney disease and, in severe cases, lung cancer.
- Cleanup goals for soil are 7.1 mg/kg.
Chromium
Chromium exists in two forms: Chromium 6, a known human carcinogen, and Chromium 3, which is less toxic than its counterpart. The concerns over wildfires are that naturally occurring Chromium 3 can be transformed into toxic Chromium 6.
- Cleanup goals for soil are 85,000 mg/kg.
Cobalt
Cobalt is a common constituent in lithium-ion batteries and paint pigments. Short-term cobalt exposure can lead to respiratory issues, while long-term exposure may result in severe respiratory issues, cardiac effects, and immune system dysfunction.
- Cleanup goals for soil are 23 mg/kg.
Copper
Copper is essential for human health in small amounts, but high concentrations can cause liver and kidney damage.
- Cleanup goals for soil are 3,100 mg/kg.
Lead
Lead can be found in car batteries, household electronics, and other products. Exposure can lead to permanent brain damage, slowed development, and behavioral issues in children, as well as kidney and reproductive issues in adults. There is no safe level of lead.
- Cleanup goals for soil are 80 mg/kg.
Mercury
Mercury is a neurotoxin that can cause serious health issues such as tremors, insomnia, emotional changes, headaches, kidney effects, and potentially death.
- Cleanup goals for soil are 1 mg/kg.
Molybdenum
Molybdenum is often used in cast iron and stainless steel production, as well as in solar panels and paints. Exposure to high levels can lead to lung problems.
- Cleanup goals for soil are 390 mg/kg.
Nickel
Primary uses of nickel include making stainless steel and jewelry. Prolonged nickel exposure is associated with respiratory effects, as well as effects on the stomach, blood, liver, kidneys, immune system, reproductive health, and development. It is considered a probable carcinogen.
- Cleanup goals for soil are 820 mg/kg.
Selenium
Selenium, a trace mineral, is essential for human health in small amounts, but exposure to high levels can result in brittle hair, deformed nails, and neurological effects.
- Cleanup goals for soil are 390 mg/kg.
Silver
Typically used for jewelry and electronics, silver can cause respiratory issues, lung and throat irritation, and stomach pain upon excessive exposure.
- Cleanup goals for soil are 390 mg/kg.
Thallium
Thallium is used in optics and electronics, among other applications. Exposure can lead to gastrointestinal issues, neurological symptoms, dermatological symptoms, and even death.
- Cleanup goals for soil are 5 mg/kg.
Vanadium
Vanadium can be found in coal and steel production, as well as in waste management. Acute exposure can lead to respiratory issues, skin and eye irritation, and gastrointestinal problems, while long-term exposure can result in lung damage.
- Cleanup goals for soil are 390 mg/kg.
Zinc
Zinc is a common element in the earth's crust and a vital nutrient for humans, but excessive exposure can lead to liver and kidney damage.
- Cleanup goals for soil are 23,000 mg/kg.
The comprehensive guidelines, enforcement approaches, and risk-based cleanup goals vary between jurisdictions, locally impacted, and the health concerns unique to context, as highlighted in the enrichment data.
The Importance of Soil Testing
The need for thorough soil testing is underscored by the findings of this investigation, which demonstrate that toxic pollutants can linger in affected areas and pose potential risks to public health, particularly among children and vulnerable populations. Taking proactive measures to test, assess, and address soil contamination following disasters like wildfires will help to safeguard the health and wellbeing of communities and support their long-term recovery.
Continue reading to learn more about what we found in Altadena and Pacific Palisades and the health risks associated with each toxic metal.
- The investigation reveals excessive levels of arsenic, lead, and mercury in residential properties within the burn zone, raise concerns about the safety of return of residents following the Eaton and Palisades wildfires.
- Governmental officials have abandoned the tradition of testing soil in wildfire zones in California, potentially endangering the health of residents by not identifying contaminants like lead and mercury.
- Exposure to cadmium, a byproduct of smelting other metals and found in electronics, plastics, and cellphone batteries, can lead to kidney disease and, in severe cases, lung cancer.
- Beryllium, used in aerospace components, sports equipment, and some electronics, can cause respiratory issues and potentially an increased risk of lung cancer.
- High levels of antimony exposure, used for hardening lead batteries, as a flame retardant, and in the production of some semiconductors, can lead to lung inflammation, chronic bronchitis, and chronic emphysema.
- Chromium, a known carcinogen, is typically safe in its Chromium 3 form, but concerns over wildfires are that naturally occurring Chromium 3 can be transformed into toxic Chromium 6.
- The need for comprehensive science-based investigations and testing following wildfires is crucial to ensure the protection of public health against toxic contaminants like barium, copper, and zinc.
- Molybdenum, often used in cast iron and stainless steel production, as well as in solar panels and paints, exposure can lead to lung problems.
- Nickel, a probable carcinogen, is associated with respiratory, gastrointestinal, and developmental health effects.
- Selenium, a trace mineral essential for human health in small amounts, exposure to high levels can result in neurological effects and damage to the liver, kidneys, and hair and nails.
