Three months after the Palisades and Eaton fires devastated LA County, our team at the L.A. Fire HEALTH Study is continuing to conduct on site testing of soil contaminants. An article by the New York Times published on May 5 discussed new data findings from LA Fire HEALTH as well as testing done by the LA Department of Public Health.

Earlier findings showed elevated levels of blood and mercury in the blood of frontline firefighters. Now, new preliminary findings from soil samples collected on April 10 show elevated levels of lead. The soil was collected downwind from the Eaton fire.

No amount of lead exposure is considered safe, however the risks of lead exposure vary depending on age and level of exposure.

The results of these tests reflect lead exposure over the last six weeks, said Jill Johnston, an environmental epidemiologist and member of the L.A. Fire Health Study team. It’s generally “good news” that blood lead levels are below the threshold set by the Center for Disease Control, Dr. Johnston said.

Although this data is reassuring, the sample size of the data collection is small, and findings are still preliminary. Johnston and other experts emphasize the importance of broader testing and long-term testing, which will help researchers understand exposure risks as cleanup and rebuilding post wildfires continues.

Read the story here: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/05/well/los-angeles-fires-lead.html