New Study Reveals Alarming Chemical Exposures from January’s Devastating Palisades Fire
Los Angeles firefighters who battled January’s massive Palisades Fire are now facing a potentially deadly aftermath as preliminary study results reveal significantly elevated levels of toxic chemicals in their blood. According to research conducted by the Wildfire Conservancy and University of Arizona, 42 firefighters tested after the blaze showed higher concentrations of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), known as “forever chemicals” for their persistence in the human body and environment. These findings, released in March 2025, come alongside additional concerns about heavy metal exposure, including chromium, arsenic, and cobalt, plus a CDC report documenting a 110-fold spike in air lead levels during the fire that scorched over 23,000 acres and destroyed more than 5,000 structures in Southern California.
5 Key Points
- The January 2025 Palisades Fire ranks as Southern California’s second-most destructive wildfire in history, with over 23,000 acres and 5,000 structures burned.
- Preliminary study results show 42 of 300 firefighters tested have significantly elevated PFAS “forever chemicals” in their blood after fighting the blaze.
- PFAS exposure comes from multiple sources, including firefighting foam, protective gear, and burning household materials containing these chemicals.
- Researchers also found increased levels of chromium, arsenic, and cobalt in firefighters, while a separate CDC study documented a 110-fold increase in air lead levels during the fire.
- Occupational cancer is now the leading cause of death among firefighters, accounting for approximately two-thirds of line-of-duty deaths.
What Makes the Palisades Fire Exposure Uniquely Dangerous?
The January 2025 Palisades Fire created what Matt Rahn, the Wildfire Conservancy executive director, described as a “9/11-scale exposure event” for over 6,000 firefighters who battled the massive blaze. What distinguishes this urban wildland fire from typical forest fires is the immense volume of synthetic materials that burned simultaneously. Modern homes contain countless plastics, electronics, furniture treatments, and construction materials that release a complex chemical cocktail when ignited. Joseph Field, a 25-year LAFD veteran who participated in the study, recalled the overwhelming conditions: “As far as the eye could see, homes were on fire, everywhere. Nothing I’ve ever seen was like it was that night.” Even with protective equipment, Field described the inescapable smoke exposure, saying firefighters were “constantly eating it” despite wearing standard gear.
The intensity and scale of this fire created a hazardous scenario because buildings constructed before 1978 likely contained lead paint, while modern structures frequently incorporate PFAS-treated materials for water and stain resistance. When thousands of these structures burn simultaneously, it creates a toxic atmospheric soup that overwhelms normal protective measures. The CDC study published in February 2025 documented a brief but alarming 110-fold increase in air lead levels during the fire. This exceptional level of contamination, combined with the extended duration of the firefighting effort, created exposure conditions rarely seen outside major industrial disasters or terrorist events like the World Trade Center collapse.
Why Are PFAS “Forever Chemicals” a Growing Concern for Firefighters?
PFAS chemicals represent a particularly insidious threat to firefighter health because these synthetic compounds persist indefinitely in the human body and environment—earning them the ominous nickname “forever chemicals.” Recent research has established multiple exposure pathways for firefighters. Ironically, while PFAS chemicals are used in firefighting foam and protective gear specifically because they repel water, oil, and heat, these beneficial properties make them nearly impossible to break down in the environment or eliminate from the body once absorbed. Studies by the National Institute of Standards and Technology in 2024 confirmed that all three layers of standard firefighter turnout gear contain PFAS, which can be absorbed through skin contact during normal use and released in greater quantities as the gear ages and undergoes wear and tear.
The double exposure threat—from both their own protective equipment and the burning materials containing these chemicals—creates a unique occupational hazard. These chemicals have been linked to increased risk of kidney cancer, liver cancer, testicular cancer, thyroid disease, and immune system suppression. The International Association of Fire Fighters reports that cancer has now replaced heart disease as the leading cause of line-of-duty deaths, with approximately two-thirds of firefighter deaths attributed to occupational cancer. The Wildfire Conservancy’s ongoing research aims to understand both immediate and long-term health impacts while developing better protective strategies, including improved gear that might filter out more contaminants. Laboratory testing has shown promising results, with specialized clothing potentially reducing skin contamination by up to 95%.
How Are Researchers Tracking the Problem and Developing Solutions?
In partnership with the University of Arizona, the Wildfire Conservancy has established a comprehensive biomonitoring program involving 300 firefighters from various departments who fought the Palisades Fire. Researchers collected blood and urine samples to analyze exposure levels to numerous toxic substances, including PFAS, heavy metals, and other carcinogens. This study represents one of the most extensive efforts to document real-time chemical exposures during a major urban fire event. While researchers caution that it remains unclear whether the elevated PFAS levels will directly translate to health problems, the data provides crucial baseline information for long-term monitoring of these firefighters.
Beyond documenting the problem, the Wildfire Conservancy is actively testing potential solutions. Current research focuses on specialized clothing with additional filtering barriers that laboratory tests suggest could reduce skin contamination by up to 95%. However, practical challenges remain. Matt Rahn explained that wildland firefighters often work in extreme conditions carrying 40-plus pounds of gear, making full respiratory protection with filter cartridges and battery packs impractical. Current respirator cartridges aren’t certified against the complex mixture of gases in smoke, and even high-quality N95 masks quickly become unusable in firefighting conditions. The research team is investigating modified protective measures that balance practical usability, improved safety, and decontamination protocols for existing gear. Joseph Field demonstrated one simple method—soaking his brush coat in water and detergent after fighting the fire—which revealed alarming residue he described as looking like “oil, sludge” containing “all those carcinogens.”
What Long-Term Health Impacts Are Firefighters Facing?
The long-term health implications for firefighters exposed during the Palisades Fire remain uncertain, but existing research paints a concerning picture. Studies have established that firefighters face significantly higher cancer rates than the general population, with the International Association of Fire Fighters reporting that cancer now accounts for approximately two-thirds of line-of-duty deaths. PFAS chemicals specifically have been linked to increased risks of kidney cancer, liver cancer, testicular cancer, thyroid disease, and compromised immune function. Unlike acute injuries, these chemical exposures may not manifest as health problems for years or decades, creating both personal uncertainty for firefighters and challenges for researchers tracking causation.
Joseph Field expressed the sentiment many in the profession shared when he said, “A lot of guys say it’s probably a lot—couple years off our life—with the amount of stuff we took in. You can only take in so much bad stuff.” This pragmatic acknowledgment of risk reflects the culture among many firefighters who accept certain dangers as part of their commitment to public service. When Field revisited neighborhoods his team had saved during the fire, he expressed pride in homes preserved but admitted he tries not to dwell on potential long-term health consequences: “I don’t try to build too much into stuff like that. When I’m faced with that kind of stuff, then that’s another story, and I’ll deal with it when that happens.” Meanwhile, researchers and firefighter advocacy organizations continue pushing for better protection measures, including PFAS-free alternatives for protective gear, improved decontamination protocols, and comprehensive healthcare monitoring for those already exposed.
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