Resolving Environmental & Human Health Issues from the Palisades & Eaton Fires
In addition to our previous communication, further recognizing the challenges and profound impacts the California wildfires are having on Los Angeles communities, we’d like to inform our clients of Roux’s extensive experience and capabilities related to resolving the environmental and human health issues that may arise.
The aftermath of the fires will pose significant long-term human health and environmental risks. Even after the fires are extinguished, smoke and debris can continue to be hazardous. The combustion of building materials like siding, roofing tiles, and insulation could release asbestos, heavy metals, and other hazardous substances. Household and commercial hazardous substances such as paint, gasoline, cleaning products, pesticides, compressed gas cylinders, and chemicals stored in various places may have burned or released during the fires. Additionally, lithium batteries from electric cars and power walls, common in Los Angeles County, add to the mix of materials requiring specialized removal. These items and remaining debris may require proper testing and disposal. There is also potential for residual soil and groundwater contamination.
When household items like batteries and plastics burn, they release byproducts into the air, raising concerns about health effects to long-term exposure of wildfire smoke. The residuals from the wildfire smoke may pose health risks not only in the areas where structures were destroyed, but also potentially in nearby structures that were not damaged.
Other issues include the potential for municipal water pipes damaged by fire to lose pressure, allowing them to “suck in” smoke and chemicals. These chemicals can infiltrate the water system and persist for years if not properly identified. Plastic piping, commonly used to carry water in earthquake-prone states like California, can also release chemicals into drinking water if heated, melted, or burned.
What can Roux do to help?
Roux’s Human Health Risk Assessment (HHRA) Practice has extensive experience in collecting air samples and analyzing potential health effects from airborne contaminants. Roux specializes in handing contamination of soil, groundwater, air, and other environmental media. Our team is well-qualified to analyze the risks associated with the multitude of chemical residuals from fires.
These wildfires will result in thousands of insurance claims from homeowners and business owners alike. Roux can assist in the administration and tracking of this onslaught of claims. Our Claims Management & Litigation Data Solutions can help manage this long-term situation. Once the immediate consequences of these fires are addressed, Roux can assist with the inevitable litigation that will follow. Our experts can provide consulting or testifying services. More information is available on our website under Litigation Support.
Roux’s experts can provide the following services:
- Determining potential health risks associated with residual contaminants.
- Assisting with the evaluation of insurance claims presented as resulting from the fires.
- Assisting with the administration and tracking of claims portfolios.
- Providing consulting and testifying expert witness services for environmental, human health, and business interruption related issues.
For current public health orders and immediate guidance on health and safety precautions upon re-entry to affected homes and businesses, please refer to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health guidelines. If you are interested in any of the services above or are looking for a general evaluation of human health risk, claims management, or litigation support related to the recent California wildfires, please reach out to us below.
