When can you safely return home after a wildfire fills it with smoke? California is on the verge of becoming the first state to establish standards for assessing this pollution risk, following the approval of two bills on Monday.
Since the fires in Los Angeles last year, many residents have been displaced or stuck in temporary housing, despite their homes surviving the blazes. The lack of consistent guidelines for testing and cleaning up toxins like lead and asbestos from wildfire smoke has left homeowners concerned about potential health risks upon returning.
This uncertainty has created tension between many California homeowners and their insurance companies.
State Representative John Harabedian, who represents Altadena, authored one of the bills passed this week in response to the Eaton Fire that devastated the area.
Harabedian stated, “I believe this legislation will greatly benefit survivors of the Eaton and Palisades fires who are currently in legal battles with their insurance providers over this issue. Without clear standards and metrics, families are left in limbo without a resolution.”
The two bills mandate that the California Department of Toxic Substances Control and Air Resources Board create regulations for addressing post-wildfire pollutants, conducting environmental testing, and determining when homes are safe to live in again.
“AB 1642 sets a precedent by establishing standards for inspecting, repairing, and remediating homes affected by wildfires,” Harabedian explained. “Bill 1795 requires insurance companies to adhere to these standards for wildfire-related claims.”
Harabedian credited media coverage, including NBC News, for shedding light on these issues and influencing policymakers to take action.
The bills now await Gov. Gavin Newsom’s approval. While Newsom’s team has provided feedback on the legislation, the governor has not yet confirmed whether he will sign it into law.
Source: www.nbcnews.com
