On a recent Saturday in Altadena, California, Jairo Perez and his 9-year-old son left a mobile testing site at God's Waiting Room Church, each sporting a fresh bandage on their arms after having blood drawn to check for lead exposure.
Following weeks of displacement caused by the Eaton fire, the Perez family returned to their home near the Pasadena-Altadena border two months ago. Although their house remained intact, they discarded mattresses and furniture suspected of contamination, removed carpeting, and undertook thorough cleaning to eliminate ash residues.
The possibility that his son may have been exposed to hazardous substances such as lead has heightened Mr. Perez’s concerns about their health and safety.
“We cherish our neighborhood and community and do not want to leave,” he expressed. Yet, he admitted, “I’m worried about my child’s wellbeing and the challenge of finding affordable housing if relocation becomes necessary.”
Nearly three months after the Palisades and Eaton wildfires ravaged Los Angeles County—destroying over 16,000 structures and releasing toxic materials—residents remain anxious about the fires’ potential long-term health implications.
In response, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health initiated free mobile blood lead testing clinics in March, prioritizing lead due to its immediate and significant health risks associated with wildfire exposure. Individuals returning to affected homes risk contact with lead-contaminated soil or ash, which can be tracked indoors or inhaled during cleaning activities such as sweeping or vacuuming.
