Worry over contamination lingers after January fires

With limited resources and scarce information, many survivors wonder what hazards remain in their homes and soil, a survey says

- BY NOAH HAGGERTY

MORE than two-thirds of fire survivors in the Palisades, above, expressed concern over the air in their homes.

After the Eaton and Palisades fires ripped through Los Angeles County, the vast majority of residents in and around the burn scars were concerned about the hazardous compounds from the smoke and ash lingering in their homes, water and soil, according to a new survey published Tuesday. Yet many felt they lacked the support to move back safely.

While more than 8 in 10 residents hoped to test their properties for contamination, only half of them could.

And as fire survivors searched for information to protect their health, many distrusted the often conflicting messages from media, public health officials, academics and politicians.

Researchers studying post-fire environmental health as part of the university consortium Community Action Project LA surveyed over 1,200 residents around the Eaton and Palisades burn scars from April through June, including those with destroyed homes, standing homes in the burn area and homes downwind of the fires.

Eaton and Palisades fire survivors said the lasting damage to their soil, air and water caused anxiety, stress, or depression.

On average, survivors in the Eaton burn area - which has more significant environmental contamination - worried more than those in the Palisades.