January’s wildfires in California may be in the past, but the devastation remains and has been made worse by fears that asbestos in damaged homes may raise the risk of mesothelioma. A recent survey found that many of the properties burned in the fire tested positive for the carcinogenic material, with more found in properties in Altadena than in Palisades.
California Senator Reports on Asbestos Levels and Mesothelioma Risk
Following a visit to the site of the Eaton Fire, California Senator Adam Schiff provided important information for those concerned about the risks of mesothelioma. He indicated that more of the properties burned in Altadena, in the Eaton Fire, have tested positive for asbestos than those tested in the Palisades Fire. Crews working on both sites have been wearing protective gear while clearing the properties of the hazardous materials.
The mesothelioma risk has required 2,269 properties to go through the asbestos abatement process out of approximately 16,000 structures that were damaged by the two fires. Whether the buildings were sheds or large buildings, all have required testing to ensure that the deadly fiber does not cause long-term health damage to first responders, construction and demolition crews, and citizens,
Palisades Homes Have Less Asbestos Than Altadena Homes
Asbestos is a carcinogenic material that has been directly linked to the rare form of cancer known as mesothelioma. The material was commonly used in construction through the 1980s, but Schiff said that there is a difference in the number of homes built with the material between the two communities: Less than a third of the properties burned in the Palisades Fire have tested positive for asbestos, while roughly half of those burned in the Eaton Fire contained the material.
Mindful of the risk of mesothelioma, the LA County Department of Public Health issued a warning saying that homes within 250 yards of the two wildfires’ burn sites risked exposure to hazardous chemicals, including heavy metals like lead and asbestos. The advocacy group the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization also issued a warning to the public.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma following exposure to asbestos, the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net can help. Contact us today at 1-800-692-8608 to learn more.
