In light of the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles County, United States, which have led to the presence of toxic smoke and light particles in the atmosphere, a public health emergency has been declared. The toxic smoke, composed of fine particulate matter and hazardous chemicals, poses a significant risk to public health, increasing the likelihood of respiratory problems, cardiovascular disease, and long-term complications. In response, authorities have issued evacuation notices for more than 84,000 residents, cautioning them about the dangers linked to air pollution and prevailing weather conditions. In the following days, the National Weather Service issued a warning regarding the potential for strong winds, with gusts reaching up to 110 km/h. This meteorological occurrence could exacerbate the current situation, hindering firefighters’ efforts to contain the flames.
Toxic fumes trigger health emergency in Los Angeles
Type of event:
Chemical spill or incident, Public Health
January 16, 2025