Posted on May 1, 2025
Legacy Asbestos Threatens Disaster Recovery: Altadena and Palisades Communities Confront Delays and Health Risks After Devastating Wildfires
Asbestos contamination underscores the urgent need for prevention and stronger policy protections.
As Global Asbestos Awareness Week (GAAW) concludes, a new BBC investigation titled “‘Very, Very Toxic’: The Risk of Asbestos in Gaza’s Rubble” has brought the world’s attention back to a silent killer long known in our communities: asbestos. The article highlights not only the staggering public health threat facing Gaza today but also draws powerful parallels to the situation unfolding in the United States, particularly in fire-ravaged areas like Altadena and Pacific Palisades, where 50% of homes tested after the Eaton Fire were found to contain asbestos.
As wildland and urban fires, in addition to other natural disasters, continue to reshape our landscapes, the long-term public health consequences remain uncertain. On January 7, two major wildfires swept through Altadena and Pacific Palisades neighborhoods of Southern California, burning more than 50,000 acres and destroying over 16,000 structures, making this one of the most destructive wildfires in California history. The scale of devastation underscores the urgent need for asbestos awareness and prevention efforts in Los Angeles and beyond.
In the aftermath of the fires, Phase 1, or hazardous waste removal, was led by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This stage concluded in March. This critical first step involved clearing toxic materials such as asbestos, lead, and other household hazardous waste. Phase 2, or general debris removal, is now underway and administered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), which includes more intensive cleanup and site stabilization: paving the way for community recovery and rebuilding.
A recent CBS News report revealed alarming levels of asbestos contamination: homes destroyed in the lower-income areas by the Eaton Fire in Altadena were significantly more likely to contain asbestos than those in the Palisades Fire. These asbestos-positive properties (primarily older homes built before 1980) not only pose serious long-term health risks but also contribute to major delays in recovery efforts.
Asbestos, once widely used for its fire-resistant properties, remains present in millions of buildings across the U.S. When older structures burn, toxic asbestos fibers are released into the air, soil, and debris, endangering families, first responders, and cleanup workers, who can inhale the deadly fiber. The fibers are so small that they can be invisible to the naked eye, and victims are often unknowingly exposed.
As of March 8, USACE had completed hazardous materials removal at 2,269 of the 4,499 deferred properties—sites deemed too dangerous for EPA crews to access during Phase 1 due to structural instability, limited access, or unsafe terrain.
“Safely removing household hazardous materials is a critical first step,” said Col. Eric Swenson, USACE Los Angeles Wildfires Recovery Field Office commander. “Every cleared property is a step closer to rebuilding.”
Before asbestos and other toxic materials can be removed, USACE teams must first conduct “make safe” operations, which include removing unstable debris, clearing access paths, and stabilizing terrain to protect personnel. Only then can certified abatement crews begin the painstaking process of asbestos removal and debris clearance.
This layered, labor-intensive process underscores a broader public health crisis. Health officials have already issued alerts. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health advised residents within 250 yards of the burn zones to take precautions against exposure to asbestos, lead, and other hazardous substances. In addition, UCLA researchers confirmed the presence of airborne asbestos and heavy metals in both the Altadena and Palisades fire areas. There is no safe level of exposure to any type of asbestos fiber.
At ADAO, we know the cost of waiting all too well. Every 13 minutes, someone in the U.S. dies from asbestos-related disease. This is why, while promising research continues, we remain steadfast in our message: Prevention is the cure.
As reconstruction efforts begin—whether in Los Angeles, New York, or war-torn Gaza—asbestos must be properly identified, handled, and removed according to the highest safety standards. Failure to do so will cost generations of lives.
We are committed to elevating victims’ voices, amplifying science-based policy, and advocating for a global ban on asbestos. Let the sobering facts from recent reports and our lived experiences fuel the urgency to act.
Prevention and policy must go hand in hand. We cannot afford to wait until disaster strikes. We must proactively identify and remove asbestos from our built environment and push for stronger legislation to eliminate future exposure.
Wildfires may be unpredictable, but asbestos contamination is not. It is entirely preventable and entirely unacceptable given the decades of science we have to rely on.
ADAO remains committed to working with federal, state, and local leaders to ensure transparency, accountability, and the strongest possible public health protections for impacted communities.
To learn more about the intersection of wildfires and asbestos risk, visit ADAO’s
Wild and Urban Fires Resource Page for critical facts, safety guidance, and policy updates.
💬 Have a question about asbestos? Visit The Source: 20 Years of Knowledge — ADAO’s multilingual chatbot—for trusted answers, resources, and guidance at your fingertips.
To rebuild safely, asbestos must be removed in strict accordance with regulations and best practices, ensuring no one is further harmed during recovery. As we say, “Hear Asbestos. Think Prevention.”
Linda Reinstein