Mesothelioma is most frequently seen as an occupational disease, with some victims’ illnesses attributed to secondary exposure. But natural disasters can also lead to risk, and for California residents returning to their homes affected by the Eaton Fire, that fact has become part of their already challenging reality. New testing has shown that 36 percent of those homes that were professionally cleaned are still testing positive for asbestos, along with other toxins that pose serious health risks.
Results Give Rise to Continuing Mesothelioma Fears
The results are exacerbating already-existing mesothelioma concerns, as well as fears about other health risks. According to the report released by Eaton Fire Residents United, of 50 Altadena-area homes, 63 percent of those tested had lead at levels far above EPA screening thresholds. Six homes were tested for heavy metals and showed positive results for chromium, barium, copper, and zinc, even after remediation.
According to CalTech geochemistry professor Francois Tissot, mesothelioma and other contamination risks from urban wildfires are significantly different from rural fires. Tissot said that the results were “worrying” after having expected that post-remediation values would look really good. He explained that most cleaning protocols are established based on wildfires, which generally don’t contain very high amounts of heavy metals, but these protocols may be insufficient for urban fires where thousands of structures can burn and release asbestos, lead, and toxic materials into surrounding homes. The January fire left many structures standing but coated with ashes. Roughly 78 percent of homes have reportedly been cleaned by professional remediation companies.
Mesothelioma Experts Fear that Asbestos Testing Lacks Consistent Standards
People in the area who are concerned about mesothelioma have been challenged by inconsistent testing practices. According to Nicole Maccalla, the resident group’s data science director, only about half the affected homes were tested for asbestos despite the known cancer risk. Dawn Fanning, the group’s managing director, emphasized that asbestos has been linked with mesothelioma as well as lung cancer and other diseases, while lead causes neurological problems, especially in children and pregnant women, and heavy metals can cause kidney and liver damage.
The risk of mesothelioma associated with asbestos in the burnt homes prompted organizers to demand that elected officials ensure that structures are tested and fully cleared of contaminants before residents return, with insurance companies required to extend relocation benefits until full clearance is achieved. Eaton Fire Residents United leaders recommend that concerned homeowners run HEPA air filters and leave shoes outside as a start, though they say it will take advocacy and pushing insurance companies to cover post-remediation testing for homeowners to feel confident about re-entering healthy homes after potential asbestos exposure from the devastating urban wildfire.
If you or someone you love has been exposed to asbestos, the risk of mesothelioma is very real. For information and help, contact the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net at 1-800-692-8608.
