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LA Fire Smoke Worse Than Wildfires?
2 Jul
Summary
- Warehouse fire smoke surpassed wildfire pollution levels.
- Fine particle pollution reached 755 micrograms per cubic meter.
- Concerns arose over decomposing food emissions and refrigerants.
Pollution from a recent warehouse fire in Los Angeles, which began on June 17 and was extinguished on June 24, reportedly surpassed air contamination levels seen during major wildfires in January 2025.
A temporary monitoring station in East Los Angeles recorded 755 micrograms per cubic meter of fine particles in just one hour on June 19. This level exceeded readings from a Caltech air monitor during the 2025 Eaton fire, which registered around 650 micrograms.
The South Coast Air Quality Management District noted elevated levels of bromine and chlorine, substances associated with fire retardant and burning plastic, respectively. However, these were below short-term health exposure thresholds. Low levels of hydrogen fluoride, a chemical released from burning solar panels and batteries, were also detected.
While initial air quality data did not indicate elevated toxic metals like lead or arsenic, Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Jaime Moore expressed concerns about biohazards from decomposing food and refrigerants used in the facility. Dr. Nichole Quick of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health stated that odors from the decomposing food did not signify dangerous toxin levels.
