skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Wednesday, April 30, 2025

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Trump marks first 100 days in office in campaign mode, focused on grudges and grievances; Maine's Rep. Pingree focuses on farm resilience as USDA cuts funding; AZ protesters plan May Day rally against Trump administration; Proposed Medicaid cuts could threaten GA families' health, stability.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Trump marks first 100 days of his second term. GOP leaders praise the administration's immigration agenda, and small businesses worry about the impacts of tariffs as 90-day pause ends.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Migration to rural America increased for the fourth year, technological gaps handicap rural hospitals and erode patient care, and doctors are needed to keep the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians healthy and align with spiritual principles.

Public health experts warn about pollution from burned plastics in LA fires

play audio
Play

Thursday, February 20, 2025   

After thousands of homes and businesses burned in the Los Angeles fires, public health doctors are warning about the toxic pollution from plastics used in construction. Many building materials are made from plastics, including flooring and carpeting, floor sealants, siding, insulation, paints, and plumbing.

Kaya Allan-Sugerman, director of health and environment programs with the group Physicians for Social Responsibility Los Angeles, said the toxic chemicals found in urban wildfire smoke has been linked to respiratory and developmental conditions, hormone disruption, and even cancer.

"Plastics don't just burn," she said. "They release some of the most toxic chemicals. When released, these pollutants don't just disappear. They can travel distances in the ash and they settle in the air, water and soil, contaminating entire communities."

Experts recommend using an air purifier or HVAC system with a HEPA filter inside, and wearing an N-95 mask outside if you're downwind of the fire zones. If you help clean up toxic ash, use gloves and avoid dry sweeping, which stirs ash into the air. Use wet methods or a HEPA vacuum instead, she suggested.

Allan-Sugerman said when rebuilding, people should choose safer, non-plastic materials wherever possible in order to promote public health, fire safety and environmental quality.

"We need stronger regulations on toxic building materials, and investment in sustainable fire resistant construction, because the more we use plastics in our buildings, the more we set ourselves up for long-term harm, especially as wildfires become more frequent and intense, given climate change," she explained.

She added that websites such as Habitablefuture.org can help homeowners find alternatives to plastic in building materials.


get more stories like this via email

more stories
In Illinois, counties cover the operational costs of juvenile detention centers, while the state reimburses for staffing at more than $40 million per year. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

Two bills aimed at reforming the juvenile justice system in Illinois are close to becoming law. Senate Bill 1784 proposes raising the age of …


Social Issues

play sound

The Buffalo Soldiers National Museum in Houston is one of many historic and cultural institutions across the nation to lose access to federal funding…

Social Issues

play sound

New national rankings out this week show South Dakota jumped a few spots higher in teacher pay for each state. However, there are questions about …


Social Issues

play sound

Wyoming labor unions will gather Thursday in Casper in honor of May Day, a holiday celebrated in 80 countries commemorating the labor movement and …

Healthy School Meals for All serves up more than 600,000 meals every school day in Colorado, regardless of a student's ability to pay. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

As Colorado lawmakers grapple with $1.2 billion in budget cuts, child nutrition advocates are turning to voters to protect funding for the state's …

Social Issues

play sound

By Whitney Curry Wimbish for Sentient.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Minnesota News Connection reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Coll…

Environment

play sound

A pair of new reports shows Ohio communities are quietly leading the way on clean energy, from urban centers to small towns, with solar power playing …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021