Parents in LA raise concerns over wildfire ash risks as schools reopen
Parents near Los Angeles are worried about lingering toxic ash from recent wildfires as schools reopen, with some questioning cleanup efforts and the safety of sending children back to affected areas.
Dorany Pineda and Brittany Peterson report for The Associated Press.
In short:
- Toxic ash from burned homes, cars and materials near Los Angeles schools raises concerns about children’s health risks as campuses reopen.
- Parents are questioning whether cleaning, air quality tests and other safety measures are sufficient, with some considering alternative schooling options.
- Experts warn that wildfire ash contains harmful substances like lead and asbestos, posing ongoing exposure risks for months.
Key quote:
“Children often have more hand-to-mouth behavior and their bodies are rapidly growing in these first few years, and so they can be more sensitive to this type of pollution. There will be a risk for a while to come in terms of exposure.”
— Dr. Lisa Patel, pediatrician and executive director of the Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health
Why this matters:
As wildfires rage with increasing frequency and intensity, the fallout is extending far beyond the burn zone. Among the most pressing concerns is the hazardous composition of wildfire ash, which can contain heavy metals, chemicals and other toxins harmful to children’s developing bodies. When this ash settles on playgrounds, schools or even indoor surfaces, it can create an invisible hazard that lingers long after the flames have been extinguished.
