Forbes January 24, 2025
The Los Angeles area wildfires began with the Palisades fire on Jan. 7 and have consumed more than 40,000 acres. There are two new fires as well—the largest being the fifteen square miles Hughes fire. While the initial focus was on the acute health effects of the wood smoke and PM2.5 particulate matter, concerns are growing about the long-term effects of the blazes, especially since the they have torched houses and urban buildings full of plastics and chemicals.
Polyurethanes are found in soft furnishings and insulation. The thick yellow smoke released as the foam decomposes includes carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide, which kills by suffocation. Other chemicals released by house fires include hydrochloric acid, dioxins, furans, aerosolized phthalates and other...
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