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LA County Public Health warns ash and soot may contain lead, arsenic; gives cleaning guidance
Summary
Dr. Barbara Ferrer of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health advised residents about health risks from ash, soot and smoke residue, recommended protective cleaning practices, and said the department will begin field sampling as part of a risk assessment.
Dr. Barbara Ferrer, Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, told residents that fire ash, soot and smoke residues can contain hazardous substances such as lead, arsenic and heavy metals and that these materials pose higher risks to children, older adults and people with respiratory conditions.
“Fires don't just burn structures. They create hazardous debris and airborne particles, including ash, soot, and smoke residue,” Dr. Ferrer said. “These materials contain dangerous substances, like lead, arsenic, and heavy metals, which pose health risks, especially for children, older adults, and those with respiratory conditions.”
Nut graf: The department recommended delaying return to homes near active removal operations when possible, using N95 respirators and personal protective equipment during cleanup, and following damp-cleaning methods rather than dry sweeping to avoid re-suspending particles.
Dr. Ferrer advised residents to assess homes for soot or ash before reoccupying: if no visible soot or indoor smoke odor exists, the home is likely safe for reentry; otherwise cleaning is recommended. She suggested using an N95 respirator, long sleeves, pants, goggles and gloves while cleaning, and avoiding dry sweeping. Outdoor ash may be gently hosed down; indoor surfaces should be wiped with a damp cloth. For significant smoke damage, she recommended hiring professional remediation firms and checking credentials like IICRC certification.
The department plans to begin field sampling this week to support risk assessments and is working with academic and federal partners to compile monitoring data on a single dashboard. For specific air-quality or exposure questions, Dr. Ferrer provided an environmental health specialist contact: (626) 430-9821.
Ending: The Department of Public Health said it will post ongoing monitoring and guidance at publichealth.LACounty.gov and on the county recovery site as additional test results and risk assessments become available.
