Science Friday Tracking The Toxic Fallout Of The LA Fires
Jan 23, 2026
Dr. François Tissot, a Caltech geochemist, shares personal insights about the devastation in his neighborhood after the LA fires. He discusses measuring heavy metals like lead and arsenic and highlights the lack of prior research on urban fire contaminants. Dr. Yifang Zhu, a UCLA environmental health expert, details her research on how household items released harmful chemicals post-fire. Together, they explore the challenges of cleaning contaminated homes, the need for better funding for research, and the responsibilities scientists bear in supporting affected communities.
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Scientist's Neighborhood Destroyed
- François Tissot's neighborhood was almost completely burned and his house became unlivable from lead and asbestos contamination.
- He turned his personal loss into research because there was almost no literature on contaminants from urban mega-fires.
Research Gap On Urban Mega-Fires
- There is almost no prior research on contaminant spread from urban mega-fires, unlike wildfires.
- This knowledge gap hampers risk assessment after large urban fires.
Remove Smoke‑Soaked Soft Goods
- Remove smoke-soaked soft goods because they off-gas toxic chemicals into sealed indoor spaces.
- Ventilate homes and avoid keeping contaminated items sealed inside to reduce indoor accumulation.