Toxic Metal Lingers in Air Months After L.A. County Fires, Raising Health Concerns
Following the devastating Eaton and Palisades fires in Southern California, researchers from UCLA and UC Davis have discovered that hexavalent chromium, a highly toxic metal, remained in the air for months. This metal, known for its carcinogenic properties, was found in ultrafine particles capable of penetrating deep into the lungs and bloodstream. The study, published in Nature Communications Earth & Environment, highlights that these particles traveled six to nine miles downwind, potentially exposing 3.4 million people from Santa Monica to Pasadena. The concentration of hexavalent chromium was found to be 137 times higher than the long-term exposure level for residential areas, although it eventually dissipated after eight months.