The Eaton Fire caused tremendous damage to the Altadena community, and while the fire is out, the danger remains. Long-term exposure to wildfire smoke and the toxins it leaves behind can have significant health effects.
Wildfire smoke can cause persistent coughing, bronchitis, and breathing difficulties. It can also affect cardiovascular health, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Smoke exposure may trigger conditions or diseases that might never have developed otherwise.
The health impacts of wildfire smoke disproportionately affect people over 65 years old and those with pre-existing conditions such as asthma. The particles in wildfire smoke, known as PM2.5, are ultrafine particles that are more harmful than larger particles. Larger particles are typically filtered out before reaching the lungs, but PM2.5 particles can penetrate deep into the lungs, where they are more readily absorbed by the body and cause direct harm. Some of the smallest particles can even pass through the lungs and enter the bloodstream.
When these particles enter the body, they cause oxidative stress, which can affect multiple organs and systems. This oxidative stress is believed to contribute to increased rates of cancer, heart attacks, kidney disease, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and COPD. Studies suggest that the oxidative stress caused by wildfire smoke may be more severe than that from cigarette smoking. Source: Cleveland Clinic
With the increasing frequency of large fires, research on the health effects of living in burn areas and wildfire smoke exposure is growing rapidly. Our team has successfully established wildfire smoke as the cause of personal injuries suffered by our clients. From relatively minor concerns to lifelong health impacts and even wrongful deaths in the days and weeks following a fire, we have secured compensation for our clients and their families.
Our attorneys have collaborated with top researchers from UCLA, Stanford, Harvard, UCSF, and more to demonstrate the harmful effects of smoke in past cases. We have reviewed thousands of pages of research, attended conferences, and analyzed expert interviews on the impact of smoke on the human body. We continue to monitor new developments in this field.
Some health impacts from wildfire smoke exposure can take years to manifest. Under California law, individuals exposed to toxins may seek medical monitoring compensation, even if health effects do not appear immediately. A medical monitoring claim may require defendants to cover the cost of routine medical testing.
These claims can be complex and fact-dependent and may not apply to all cases of smoke inhalation. Danko Meredith evaluates every client’s case individually, ensuring that all damages from the fire—including health impacts from wildfire smoke and its toxins—are accounted for.
Toxins Left Behind
The debris left behind after a fire is full of toxins, including heavy metals like lead, mercury, and arsenic, as well as volatile organic compounds such as benzene and toxic materials like asbestos. The health effects of these substances have been studied extensively, and many are known carcinogens, meaning they can cause cancer in those exposed.
These toxins can be absorbed through your skin, inhaled, or ingested. It is crucial to follow all safety guidelines from the appropriate authorities when visiting a burned home or entering the burn area. Our attorneys have witnessed large trucks, street sweepers, and cleanup crews kicking up clouds of dust, which can further spread hazardous particles.
The best way to address these toxins is through proper cleanup. Testing is conducted to determine when cleanup is complete. Traditionally, the Army Corps of Engineers and the EPA have performed confirmation testing after the Phase 2 cleanup process to verify that toxins have been removed. The testing has historically provided assurances that cleanup was successful and that contaminants were eliminated, particularly at schools and home sites.
However, for the first time in our experience, the Army Corps of Engineers has announced that they will not be testing for remaining toxins after the cleanup. Army Corps Col. Swenson stated that such testing was outside the scope of their authorization. The Phase II cleanup process will only remove the top six inches of soil. No explanation was provided for why the Eaton and Palisades Fire cleanup has a different scope of work than prior California wildfires.
This is a concerning development. After the Camp Fire in 2018, about one-third of the properties tested after the removal of the top six inches of soil still required additional soil removal. If this ratio holds true for the Eaton Fire, thousands of home sites may remain polluted.
The costs of additional testing or cleanup necessary to restore your property to a safe state may be recoverable in a case against SoCal Edison. For the clients Danko Meredith represent, we seek compensation for restoring properties to their pre-fire condition. This includes rebuilding homes, landscaping, trees, other structures, driveways, and ensuring the land itself is safe.
Other Health Risks from the Fire
There are additional health risks from the land itself, even in areas where no homes or pollutants were present. Certain diseases can live in the soil, and after a fire destroys vegetation, windstorms can carry bacteria, viruses, and fungal spores that would not have otherwise become airborne. One such concern is Valley Fever (coccidioidomycosis), a fungal infection that can see increased incidence rates following large fires, particularly in downwind populations. Those with compromised immune systems are at particular risk. Following the Thomas Fire in 2017, also caused by SoCal Edison, Danko Meredith represented clients who contracted Valley Fever in their case against SoCal Edison. Source: National Library of Medicine
What Can You Do?
If the Eaton Fire has affected you or a loved one, and you’re concerned about potential health risks, contact our team today for a free case evaluation.