Several serious health problems have reportedly been identified among residents living near the Boyle Heights warehouse fire. A report from St. John’s Community Health says nearly 25 percent of more than 1,300 patients evaluated at mobile clinics were diagnosed with hazardous substance exposure. More than 26.5 percent were diagnosed with toxic smoke exposure, which officials say may have resulted from breathing smoke and chemicals released during the fire two months ago. The report also found that 469 patients, or about 36 percent of those seen at the clinics, were experiencing fire-related health issues. Those problems included respiratory infections, eye disorders, persistent coughing, and asthma exacerbations. The fire at the massive cold-storage facility burned for roughly two weeks, sending smoke and potentially hazardous substances into surrounding communities. Health officials and community organizations continue monitoring residents and providing medical evaluations as concerns persist about the fire’s possible long-term health effects. The findings have raised additional questions about environmental conditions in nearby neighborhoods.
