Mesothelioma Risk Still Looms After California Fires

The Eaton wildfires in Altadena, California, near Los Angeles, have left a lingering threat in their wake: asbestos exposure, the only cause of a rare and deadly form of cancer called mesothelioma. Asbestos can also cause lung cancer, ovarian cancer, and a deadly lung-scarring disease called asbestosis.

While families already were grieving property losses, they now face the silent and long-term danger of environmental toxins like asbestos and lead.

 

Asbestos Exposure and the Threat of Mesothelioma 

When structures burn, particularly older buildings, hazardous materials such as asbestos can be released into the air and surrounding environment. Inhaled asbestos fibers can lodge in the tissue near the lungs, heart, or abdomen. Over time, as these fibers puncture cells, a cancer can develop.

Mesothelioma is difficult to detect early and nearly impossible to cure in later stages. What makes the current situation in California so alarming is the potential for widespread, unintentional exposure following the fire. Mesothelioma Guide recently published a blog about asbestos exposure from the California wildfires.

 

Health Concerns Sparks Community to Take Action

With limited assistance from insurance companies and no clear path for testing and remediation, residents banded together to form Eaton Fire Residents United (EFRU). This coalition has spearheaded independent testing efforts throughout the community, uncovering asbestos exposure in more than 50 homes. These findings are alarming — not just for immediate health risks, but for cancers like mesothelioma.

Many residents cannot return home — not just due to fire damage, but because of potential long-term health consequences like mesothelioma. It’s a battle on two fronts: rebuilding their lives while also navigating a public health emergency.

 

Insurance and Government Gaps Leave Residents Vulnerable 

One of the most frustrating aspects for families in the wake of the Eaton fires is the lack of insurance coverage.

Most homeowner insurance policies only cover cleanup if there’s visible structural damage. That means residents are paying out of pocket for asbestos testing and abatement services — costs that can run into the thousands of dollars. Meanwhile, each day they remain in contaminated spaces increases the risk of exposure to asbestos.

Residents are calling on state and local governments to provide more robust support, including funding for asbestos removal and education about related health risks.

 

Raising Awareness for Future Prevention

What’s happening in Altadena is not isolated. As wildfires become more frequent and intense, so does the risk of post-fire exposure to hazardous materials.

Awareness is key. Residents in any fire-prone region should know the dangers of asbestos exposure and the importance of early medical testing for any new or worsening health conditions, especially when returning to older homes.

Photo credit:

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www.shutterstock.com – User Ringo Chiu
Damaged structures are seen after the Palisades Fire burnt along Pacific Coast Highway, January 16, 2025 in Malibu, California.