Fires Unveil New Health Threat: Known Carcinogen Found in Wildfire Ash

Healdsburg, Calif., October 26, 2019 — As wildfires continue to ravage landscapes, a startling revelation has emerged from recent research: a known carcinogen, hexavalent chromium, is present in California wildfire ash, prompting concerns about the potential health risks associated with breathing air near a blaze.

A study published in Nature Communications last week disclosed the discovery of hazardous levels of hexavalent chromium in ash samples from the Kincade and Hennessey fires of 2019 and 2020. Hexavalent chromium, also known as chromium 6, is linked to higher rates of lung cancer, particularly among workers in the manufacturing industry, according to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.

Professor Scott Fendorf of Stanford University, a contributor to the study, expressed shock at the results, admitting a previous nonchalant attitude toward wildfires. "Up until that point, if we had a wildfire, I was pretty cavalier about it... Now it completely changes my calculation. When we start to get wildfire warnings or smoke warnings, I'm going to be wearing an N95 mask," Fendorf stated.

The study found concentrations of chromium 6 up to seven times higher in affected areas compared to unburned land. While hexavalent chromium was identified in ash samples rather than directly in wildfire smoke, researchers infer its likely presence in the smoke as well. The team plans to collect smoke samples in the future to validate this hypothesis.

The findings are particularly disconcerting as climate change escalates the frequency and intensity of wildfires globally. Not only are residents in fire-prone areas exposed to increased blazes, but wildfire smoke also travels vast distances, impacting populations far beyond the immediate danger zone. Instances of wildfires in Canada affecting air quality in the U.S. and Europe underscore the far-reaching consequences of these environmental events.

Metals like chromium naturally exist in the environment, but the intense heat of wildfires, as observed in this case, transforms them into the hexavalent state. The study raises pressing concerns about the potential health implications of prolonged exposure to wildfire smoke, urging a reevaluation of safety measures amid the escalating threat posed by climate-driven wildfires.

The Metamorphosis of Fire: From Benign to Toxic

In the wake of recent wildfires, a disconcerting revelation has emerged: the transformative power of fire, turning a benign metal into its highly toxic counterpart. Hexavalent chromium, notorious as the 'Erin Brockovich chemical,' has been discovered in California wildfire ash, prompting memories of the legal battles fought by the consumer advocate.

Scott Fendorf, a professor at the Doerr School of Sustainability at Stanford University, emphasizes the profound impact of fire on metals. "The fire changes a benign metal into a very toxic form of that metal," he notes. Hexavalent chromium, infamous for its health risks, gained notoriety through Erin Brockovich's crusade to address its effects on a small California town.

While the Stanford team focused on ash samples from various California locations, the diverse geological and vegetative compositions of the test sites suggest broader global implications. The study serves as a gateway to explore potential wildfire exposure risks for other toxic metals, broadening our understanding of the environmental consequences of increasingly frequent and intense wildfires.

As climate change propels these destructive events, the findings underscore the need for comprehensive research and safety measures to protect communities worldwide from the hidden dangers unleashed by wildfires.

As wildfires blaze with increasing frequency, the discovery of hexavalent chromium in California wildfire ash serves as an alarming reminder of the transformative power of fire and its potential to unveil hidden health risks. The metamorphosis of a benign metal into a toxic form, as revealed by Stanford University researchers, raises concerns not only about immediate environmental impacts but also the broader implications for regions worldwide.

The association of hexavalent chromium with the 'Erin Brockovich chemical' adds a layer of recognition to the dangers posed by this compound, as immortalized in the legal battles and film starring Julia Roberts. The findings prompt a reevaluation of wildfire safety measures, urging a global exploration of exposure risks for other toxic metals in the aftermath of these destructive events.

As wildfires become more frequent and intense due to climate change, the imperative to understand and address the environmental consequences grows. The conclusion drawn from this revelation is clear: proactive research, awareness, and protective measures are essential to safeguard communities from the far-reaching and often hidden dangers lurking in the aftermath of wildfires.