One year after the Palisades and Eaton fires destroyed over 16,000 structures in Los Angeles, health professionals are observing ongoing effects on residents’ well-being. The fires released various toxic substances into the environment, raising concerns about long-term risks as communities rebuild.
Pulmonologist Samuel Cohen, MD, noted the impact on patients with respiratory illnesses: “Early on, I worked with a lot of patients with underlying illnesses such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] who experienced significant worsening of their symptoms due to wildfire smoke.” He added that most patients have improved since air quality has returned closer to normal.
Stephanie Koven, MD, a primary care physician at Cedars-Sinai in Santa Monica, described additional challenges faced by her patients. “Not only were we seeing flare-ups of asthma and emphysema for those in affected areas, but a significant increase in anxiety and depression,” Koven said. She mentioned elderly patients who lost homes they planned to retire in.
Koven also provided care for members of the L.A. Fire Department who fought the fires. She expressed concern about their prolonged exposure to hazardous materials: “With firefighters, we’re most concerned about ongoing exposures over years,” she said. As a result, firefighters undergo more proactive testing for heavy metals and PFAs—chemicals that persist in the environment—and receive earlier cancer screenings.
Cohen warned that construction activities could disturb settled particulate matter from the fires: “It’s especially important for workers in these areas to be sure they have appropriate respirators for protection,” he said.
Koven advised returning residents on practical safety steps: “Using a HEPA filter in the home to help pull particulate matter from the air can be helpful,” she said. Other recommendations include removing shoes before entering homes after visiting burn sites and changing outer clothing upon return.
New technologies may also assist with monitoring indoor air quality. Cohen pointed out that some smart thermostats now track air quality inside homes and remind users when it is time to change filters.
Both physicians emphasized that it remains uncertain what lasting health effects may emerge from initial smoke exposure or rebuilding efforts. Cohen advised vigilance: “If you’re someone who will be moving back to these areas, it’s just important to make sure you’re in tune with how you’re feeling,” he said. “If you begin to experience new-onset symptoms such as shortness of breath or a lingering cough, it’s time to speak to a medical professional.”
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center is based in Los Angeles and was founded in 1902. The hospital reported 50,646 patient admissions during 2022 and serves as both a treatment facility and training hospital under president Thomas M. Priselac.
More information is available on the Cedars-Sinai Blog.
