WASHINGTON (Jan. 16, 2025)--Long after the firefighters extinguish the fires burning in Los Angeles, a variety of health hazards will persist in the soil, air and water, according to news reports. More than 40,000 acres have burned in the California fires so far, reducing cars, homes and household belongings to ash and releasing smoke and toxins into the environment.
For example, many homes contain lead pipes, electronics and furniture which when burned can leave the area contaminated with toxins, experts say.
The George Washington University has experts available to discuss the ongoing hazard caused by smoke in the air and health hazards in the environment, including the contamination of public drinking water. To schedule an interview with an expert, please contact Kathy Fackelmann, [email protected] or Katelyn Deckelbaum, [email protected].
Lynn R. Goldman, Dean of the GW Milken Institute School of Public Health, is a pediatrician, epidemiologist and national environmental health expert. Dean Goldman can discuss the risks of exposure to lead and other toxins from the fires and how that might affect the health of residents.
Susan Anenberg, is the director of the GW Climate & Health Institute, and professor and Chair of the department of environmental and occupational health at the GW Milken Institute School of Public Health. Anenberg’s research focuses on the health implications of air pollution, including smoke from wildfires, which can trigger asthma and other health problems. Anenberg can discuss the benefits of staying indoors when air quality is poor and the risk of inhaling pollutants from smoke.
Kate Applebaum is an associate professor in the department of environmental and occupational health. Her research focuses on environmental and occupational exposures influencing the risk of chronic diseases.
Aileen Chang is an associate professor of medicine at the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences. She also serves as assistant director for research at GW's Rodham Institute for Health Disparities. She has international experience managing vector borne diseases.
Xindi Hu is an environmental data scientist and serves as an assistant professor in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health at GW’s Milken Institute School of Public Health. Her research aims to understand the relative contribution of chemical exposures in environmental media on population health outcomes and health disparities and generate evidence at a large scale.
Daisy Lee is an associate professor in the GW School of Nursing. She is a social scientist in behavioral and community health specializing in community-engaged cancer prevention and health disparities research.