The Los Angeles fires are devastating and the health effects of residents, first responders and cleanup processors are not yet fully understood. Smoke may be temporary, but toxic air pollution is an ever-present risk with effects that will last for generations.
Historically, the image of West Coast firefighters has primarily fought large forest fires when trees are burned. However, La Fires created a completely different risk. As homes and buildings burn in Los Angeles, so are the plastic inside them. This includes insulation, flooring, vinyl siding, paint, decks and PVC pipes.
All of that plastic contains chemicals It'll be dangerous Water and soil when burned and released into the air. Residents are not only experiencing tragedy of what is in the fire, but also the severe health effects seen in air pollution and the ash left behind.
If you've ever surrounded you burning plastic, you know the irritating smell. Plastic burning releases cocktails of chemicals related to cancer, respiratory problems, developmental problems, birth defects, heart problems, organ damage, and more.
Buildings and construction are ranked second in the use of plastics, only after plastic packaging. That explains 17% of total plastic production. 1.2 million tons of plastic, which are contained only in carpets discarded in the United States each year, is Same amount of plastic As all water bottles, straws and plastic bags used in the United States each year.
At the same time, there was a 761% increase Number of buildings destroyed in California wildfires. These wildfires in urban areas are growing It's more common Previously low density areas developed, exacerbating the heat and drought conditions fueled by climate change. As more buildings are on fire, more plastic burning occurs.
PVC is one of the most toxic types of plastics and is one of the most commonly used materials in building construction. When it's burning, or just get Exposure To extreme heat – that release Dioxins, which cause cancer, are in the air.
The threat is imminent in the city Water System Same thing. Water meters, pipe gaskets and storage tanks are often made of PVC plastic. Fever can cause PVC release Chemicals like cancer put benzene directly into water and air. In addition to cancer, exposure to unsafe levels of benzene is causes a decrease With white blood cells, the body needs to protect itself from infections. Tap water exceeds this level of benzene Multiple firesand researchers have Benzene was tracked directly into a plastic pipe California's 2018 urban wildfire.
Firefighters are particularly at a high risk of exposure to chemicals released from buildings burning with PVC Considered It becomes an important issue on the ground. Nearly two of the three firefighters who died in duties between 2002 and 2019. He died of cancer.
Damage to the home is not necessarily temporary. This may be the structure that survived the fire Unable to live Due to chemical contamination due to the combustion of synthetic materials such as plastics. delete Chemicals from the water system can take several months Millions Dollars, and plastic pipes may be Continued These chemicals are released into clean drinking water over time.
Many plastic building materials have safe alternatives. Experts at the end of last year Habitable has published a report Specific policy recommendations on how the construction sector can migrate from plastics. It starts by setting goals, banning toxic petrochemicals like polyvinyl chloride, defining safer alternatives, and acknowledging the cost of normal business.
And there are more of these serious wildfires I'm hoping for Due to extreme conditions driven by climate change, it would be wise to require safe and sustainable building products that are not made of plastic.
Judith Enck is a former EPA regional administrator, president of Beyond Plastics and professor at Bennington College.
Heather McTeer Toney is a former EPA Regional Administrator and executive director of Beyond Petrochemicals.
