Breathing Danger: The Toxic Aftermath of Disasters

Many people underestimate the toxic exposure in the aftermath of unavoidable disasters. An example is the recent wildfires that burned thousands of homes, buildings, and acreage in Los Angeles. Consider everything that was burning:

• Transformers containing PCBs
• Household building materials, including lead, copper, asbestos, PVC-coated electrical wires, plastics (a lot), and petrochemicals
• Household furniture containing PFAS (forever chemicals) and volatile organic compounds (polyurethane foam releases potentially deadly hydrogen-cyanide gas when it burns)
• Cars with gasoline engines and those with lithium-ion batteries
• Everything in garages, such as paints, pesticides, fertilizers, and other chemicals
• Burning trees (woodsmoke) releases carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and fine particulate matter called PM2.5, which can penetrate deep into the lungs and increase the risk of all cancers.¹ 
• Firefighting flame retardants that are dropped on fire areas

This is a partial list of toxins in the air (toxic aftermath), including regions up to a hundred miles away from the fires. In fact, at the height of the Los Angeles wildfires, atmospheric concentrations of the neurotoxins chlorine and lead were 40-100 times higher than average levels.²

A recent study³ examined indirect mortality from the Paradise fire in 2018 and concluded that the wildfire smoke in this and several other communities may have killed up to 12,000 Californians prematurely. This, and several other related studies, have examined the long-term health consequences of inhaling PM2.5. Unfortunately, the EPA’s air quality ratings typically do not consider the highly toxic composition of urban smoke, including particles higher than 2.5 micrometers. Therefore, it’s important to protect yourself from such exposures, not just in the short-term but for several weeks afterward.

What We Learned From 9/11

It is estimated that more than 400,000 people were exposed to the World Trade Center (WTC) aftermath in 2001. The dust contained a dangerous mixture of cement particles, asbestos, heavy metals (mercury, lead, and cadmium), cancer-causing dioxins, and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), byproducts of fuel combustion. The persistent cough most individuals reported in the immediate aftermath led to chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and other upper airway diseases.⁴ In addition, the WTC Health Program has enrolled over 37,000 survivors and has counted nearly 10,000 first responders, workers, residents, and students with cancer resulting from the 9/11 dust exposure, which hung in the air for over three months. We learned that this toxic dust exposure caused long-term health effects and death in a large number of people affected. No one expected a disaster of this magnitude; many people were unprotected.

What About Hurricanes and Floods?

The toxicity from flooded communities is also a significant concern. In September 2024, hundreds of industrial facilities were in Hurricane Helen’s path, releasing toxic pollutants, sewage, and more into the flood zones. As a result of Hurricane Katrina-affected New Orleans, Louisiana, in 2005, more than 400 billion gallons of floodwaters were contaminated with a variety of toxic compounds and pathogens in concentrations that exceeded safe human exposure.⁵

Preparation Can Help Protect From Toxic Exposure

While it may not be possible to predict certain natural and other disasters, there are steps you can take to better prepare for when you are in or near a potentially toxic event.

• Have several N95 or KN95 face masks in your emergency kit. Consider similar protection for your pets. Typical cloth or dust masks may not offer adequate protection.
• Invest in a high-quality air filter. Even people that live 100 miles from a wildfire can be exposed to toxic pollutants. Sanoviv recommends the Austin Air HealthMate Plus air filter. An air filter is a good investment and can occasionally help with local air quality issues, such as high pollen counts or during cold and flu season.
• Stay out of floodwater, as it can contain human and livestock waste and other contaminants. Wash skin that may have come into contact with floodwater with soap and clean water. Remove or dispose of any contaminated clothing. If you live in an area prone to flooding, consider a small inflatable boat and life jackets as part of your emergency kit.
• Invest in a portable, battery-operated AM/FM radio in case of communication problems, and create a plan for your family.
• In some situations, a disposable environmental protection hazmat suit can be an addition to your emergency kit. These low-cost suits may be helpful as protection against chemical contaminants, especially during a “clean-up” process.
• If you live in an area prone to fires, floods, hurricanes, tornados, or earthquakes, do your own research and learn what you need to be adequately prepared. Take emergency preparation seriously.
• Lastly, keep your body healthy and support your immune system. Physical and mental fitness are critical in the face of disaster. Are you fit enough to climb up or descend stairs? Are you able to run a mile? Think of disasters that may require a certain fitness level for an emergency.

Here are some other Sanoviv articles for learning about maintaining a healthy body and home environment:

Indoor Air Pollution: How to Reduce Hidden Harms

Build a Strong Immune System Using Lifestyle Medicine

Spring Cleaning Makeover

How Can Something So Beautiful Do So Much Health Damage? (mold toxicity)

What is Mold Illness?

References

1. Emily Grant, Jennifer D. Runkle, Long-term health effects of wildfire exposure: A scoping review, The Journal of Climate Change and Health, Volume 6, 2022, 100110, ISSN 2667-2782.
2. Tabuchi, H. and Rojanasakul M., Airborne Lead and Chlorine Levels Soared as L.A. Wildfires Raged, New York Times, January 20, 2025
3. Rachel Connolly et al. Mortality attributable to PM_2.5 from wildland fires in California from 2008 to 2018.Sci. Adv.10, eadl1252(2024).
4. Liu R, Santiago-Colón A, Butturini E, Kubale TL, Reibman J. Characteristics of survivors enrolled in the World Trade Center Health Program. Arch Environ Occup Health. 2024;79(5-6):185-198. doi: 10.1080/19338244.2024.2410495. Epub 2024 Oct 31. PMID: 39482829.
5. Roper WE, Weiss KJ, Wheeler JF. Water Quality Assessment and Monitoring in New Orleans Following Hurricane Katrina. Washington, DC: Environmental Protection Agency; 2006.