Title: LA Wildfires posing a threat to food safety due to deteriorating air quality
Rewritten Article:
Warning bell rings for homes in Los Angeles and beyond as wildfires, like the recent ones, can render their food unsafe. These infernos, fueled by Santa Ana winds and a prolonged drought, can send smoke plumes soaring up to 14 miles into the sky, impacting households far away from the flames' vicinity.
On January 7th, wildfires broke out in Los Angeles, engulfing tens of thousands of acres and etching their destructive mark in California's history. Sheriff Robert Luna likened the devastation to a post-nuclear bombsite scene.
Food poisoning rears its ugly head when individuals mistakenly consume food or drinks infected with harmful bacteria, viruses, or other pathogens. Wildfires, in conjunction with smoke fumes, extreme heat, and fire-fighting chemicals, can play a pivotal role in introducing these contaminants.
Mark Davidson, a Marketing and Technical Materials Manager at Camfil, a global air filtration solutions provider, highlights that such incidents primarily impact the west coast and northern states in the United States. However, the smoke from these fires extends beyond their boundaries, courtesy of wind currents.
Wildfire smoke is not your typical air pollution; it's far more toxic. It contains harmful gases and particulate matter derived not only from burned vegetation but also synthetic materials like plastics, rubber, and treated asphalt from buildings, cars, and homes. In recent times, Los Angeles witnessed fine particulate matter levels peak dangerously, at a staggering 40-100 micrograms per cubic meter— levels exceeding the World Health Organization's maximum recommended limit by nearly 20 times.
More than 90% of wildfire smoke's mass constitutes PM2.5 particles— ultra-fine pollutants measuring less than 2.5 microns. These microscopic particles can travel considerable distances and infiltrate common food packaging, rendering contaminated food unredeemable, posing health risks.
Rendered helpless, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health advice includes discarding plastic water bottles coated in ash and food not stored in waterproof or airtight containers. Packaged foods secured in glass or metal jars, however, can be cleaned and reused.
Wildfires expel hazardous gases such as nitrogen oxides and carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Infiltrating homes through unfiltered HVAC systems, these contaminants can accumulate on food and food surfaces through particle deposition, increasing health risks.
Camfil suggests that a merger of carbon filtration and high-efficiency air filters can reduce household risks from wildfire smoke.
Heat exacerbates the situation. Wildfires' extreme temperatures can compromise the seals of cans and jars, allowing bacteria to penetrate. In specific cases, heat activates dormant bacteria, boosting the likelihood of foodborne illnesses.
A study published in Ecosphere reveals that wildfire smoke acts as a vehicle for bacteria and fungi, transporting microbial life over vast distances. Researchers identified more than 70 types of bacteria and fungi growing on petri dishes, demonstrating a decrease in microbial abundance with distance from the fire, raising concerns about wildfires' potential to transmit food-borne pathogens.
Further research indicates that wildfires could contribute to foodborne diseases by spreading heat-tolerant microbes to food. While wildfires usually reach temperatures ranging from 300° to 1,100°C, certain microorganisms dwelling in soil can endure extreme heat, occasionally surviving up to 800°C.
Barbara Brown, an Oklahoma State University Extension food specialist, emphasizes the need to discard fresh produce, raw foods, and any open food containers exposed to fumes, water, or chemicals. Similarly, pantry staples like flour, sugar, spices, and seasonings, along with items in non-airtight containers like peel-off tops, screw-top jars, cardboard boxes, or those wrapped in foil, plastic, or cloth, should be discarded. In case of power outages, perishable items like meat, seafood, milk, soft cheeses, eggs, prepared foods, and cookie dough must be discarded if kept above 40°F for more than two hours.
As of February 4th, hundreds of thousands of Los Angeles residents experienced power outages. The displaced population nears 200,000, with the death toll climbing daily. The Palisades and Eaton fires, among the 6 active wildfires in Los Angeles county, have proven to be the most devastating in California's history.
The Los Angeles wildfires serve as a stark reminder of the extensive impact of climate-related disasters on our food systems. Interconnected, these natural calamities spotlight the fragility and the urgent need for effective disaster preparedness and long-term food safety solutions.
- Wildfires in Los Angeles, like the recent Palisades and Eaton fires, can significantly affect food safety due to smoke contamination.
- The wildfires in California, such as the ones in Los Angeles, can impact air quality beyond the fire's vicinity, leading to health concerns related to food safety and smoke fumes.
- Food safety is a concern during California wildfires, especially in areas like Los Angeles, as smoke can introduce harmful bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants into food packaging.
- Camfil, a global air filtration solutions provider, has noted that wildfires primarily impact the west coast and northern states of the United States, but the smoke from these fires can travel far and impact food safety in distant areas.
- In response to wildfires and smoke contamination, Camfil suggests using a combination of carbon filtration and high-efficiency air filters to reduce household risks and maintain food safety.
