During wildfires, lead levels in air briefly increased 110 times just south of Eaton Fire, CDC says

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A new study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that for several days during the fires, lead levels in the air just south of the Eaton Canyon Fire increased roughly 110-fold compared to the levels from a few days earlier.

The levels have since returned to normal.

The data came from a testing site 14 miles south of the Eaton Fire burn zone, and about 35 miles east of the Palisades Fire zone.

Researchers used a new air quality measurement network called the Atmospheric Science and Chemistry Measurement Network, also known as ASCENT, which provides real-time measurements of the chemicals found in fine particulate matter.

Unlike conventional wildfires, the Eaton and Palisades fires ignited homes with pipes, vehicles, plastics and electronics and paint.

Many of the structures burned were built before 1978 when use of leaded paint was still common.

Generally, the concern with lead is chronic, long-term exposure.

As for this short term exposure, scientists are not clear how this might impact human health. Dr. Raj Dasgupta, a lung expert, described what acute exposure could do.

"When lead levels are that high, I always worry about the lungs first, the inhalational damage that can happen," said Dasgupta. "Lead can be very toxic to the airways of course. If you have pre-existing lung disease like asthma, like COPD, it can irritate it."

Symptoms might include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, fatigue and dizziness.

New steps are being taken to ensure the air is safe to breathe for people who live near the burn scars of the Palisades and Eaton fires.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District is setting up two testing sites: one near the Altadena Golf Course, and one near Will Rogers State Beach.

Scientists will be collecting samples and testing the air for toxic metals and other fine, particulate matter that isn't normally measured by the air quality index.

CDC researchers point out that airborne lead levels alone do not measure the total level of exposure a person might have in the environment.

It's also not clear how this very short term exposure might affect adults - but there is no known safe level of lead exposure for children.

For more on the CDC's report, click here.