ALTADENA, Calif. — A sign on a front door in Altadena reads, 'DANGER: Lead Work Area.' Many residents are returning to homes still harboring hazardous levels of lead and other dangerous contaminants, a year after the wildfires devastated their neighborhood.
After the worst fires in Los Angeles history caused the destruction of nearly 17,000 structures, including homes, schools, and places of worship, families are beginning to feel the aftereffects. Block after block, workers are seen wearing masks and breathing apparatuses while cleaning homes that survived the fires but are not free from toxic remnants.
The disaster inflicted severe psychological trauma on residents who now fear the unknown lurking within their walls. A report from November by the Eaton Fire Residents United revealed alarming contamination levels: 63% of homes tested had lead levels above the EPA's safety standards, with some levels nearly 60 times higher than those rules.
For residents like Nina and Billy Malone, formerly happy homeowners, the transition back to their home has been bittersweet. Even with professional cleaning, persistent headaches and respiratory issues have dogged them since their return. They have had to assume a hazardous risk to live in a space that once offered safety.
Local experts warn that the health impacts of exposure to these chemicals—ranging from heart diseases to cognitive impairments—could linger long after the visible signs of the fires have faded. They also underscore the need for adequate home testing and proper cleaning protocols, something many insurance companies have resisted covering.
As they face the dual challenge of battling insurance companies over coverage for contamination tests, they are also trying to navigate the emotional toll of the disaster. Many families are processing their losses while reclaiming their homes, indicating that the healing process may take much longer than anticipated.
Ultimately, Altadena's residents aren't just rebuilding their homes; they are also reconstructing their sense of well-being, all while living amidst visible scars of the past.
