The LA wildfire victims still living in toxic homes: ‘We have nowhere else to go’
The Guardian••general
Key Points:
- One year after the devastating Eaton fire in Altadena, residents are returning amid ongoing concerns about safety due to lingering toxins like lead and asbestos in soil and homes, despite remediation efforts.
- The fire destroyed nearly 9,500 structures, displaced tens of thousands, and caused 19 deaths, leaving widespread contamination from burned materials including plastic and lithium batteries.
- Many residents report health issues such as respiratory problems and migraines, and face challenges with insurance companies reluctant to cover thorough testing and remediation costs.
- In response, survivors formed Eaton Fire Residents United (EFRU), a community group advocating for comprehensive safety testing, data collection, and improved remediation protocols to protect residents and workers.
- The recovery process remains difficult, with some residents unable
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-22400154171-19eb2573d96647f8894478942b5721be.jpg)
