What burned in the Boyle Heights hazmat fire, and what it means for air quality

A fire at a Boyle Heights commercial building Wednesday prompted a shelter-in-place order for hours due to hazardous materials, including ammonia.

The fire broke out at Lineage, a logistics company that offers cold storage services, according to the company’s website. 

A shelter-in-place order was lifted at around 8:45 p.m. Wednesday, but the fire remained smoldering as of 11 a.m. Thursday, and firefighting efforts continued. 

Residents are also still expressing concerns over air quality. Here’s what we know.

What materials burned in the fire?

The fire spread across the building’s rooftop solar panels, prompting firefighters to use helicopters to take on the flames and prevent further spread. 

“Any sort of structure fire with [solar] panels burning, there’s going to be some sort of hazardous materials in the air,” LAFD firefighter Jennifer Middleton.

The fire also reached an ammonia line, causing it to off-gas the chemical, and adjacent structures were evacuated to keep people from breathing it in.

The ammonia is not toxic to individuals unless they have respiratory issues or come into direct contact with it, fire officials said. 

What to know about smoke and air quality 

A particle pollution advisory was in effect until at least 12:30 p.m. Friday for an area including Boyle Heights, central LA and parts of Northeast LA.

At a press conference Thursday morning, LAFD officials said air quality was being monitored in the area, adding that there was no public threat.

However, residents in Boyle Heights reported concerns over smoke, ash and the lingering smell; the air remained acrid and smelled like plastic on Thursday morning.

Boyle Heights Beat reached out to the South Coast Air Quality Management District and the LA County Department of Public Health to ask about air quality levels and how officials determine whether there is a threat to public health. 

“Preliminary results from the mobile monitoring showed particulate matter was generally near background levels, however, elevated particulate matter concentrations were observed for a few seconds at a time within the plume,” the AQMD said. “During those few seconds, increased levels of bromine and chlorine were also observed. Bromine and chlorine are typically found at trace levels during structural fires and the levels seen were below short-term health-based exposure thresholds. Concentrations below this level are not expected to cause adverse health effects. No significant levels of air toxic metals were seen.”

As firefighting continues, people downwind may continue to notice poor air quality, the agency added. Smoke becomes cooler as firefighters gain control, causing it not to rise as dramatically into the air. 

What should residents do

The LA County Public Health Department issued guidance Wednesday on how residents can protect themselves. 

• Officials recommend remaining indoors, keeping windows and doors closed, and limiting exposure to outdoor air if residents can see or smell smoke.
• Residents with respiratory conditions should continue monitoring local air quality and exercise caution.
• Run an air purifier if available, but avoid using air conditioners, which bring in outside air (you may qualify for a free one here)

What symptoms to watch for

Contact your doctor, go to urgent care or call 911 if you experience:

• severe coughing
• shortness of breath,
• wheezing
• chest pain,
• palpitations
• nausea
• unusual fatigue

How to monitor air quality

• Download the South Coast AQMD mobile app
• Sign up for advisories at AirAlerts.org

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