Odor from Maywood magnesium fire raises health concerns
By Gregory J. Wilcox, Los Angeles Daily News
Posted: 06/14/16, 12:30 PM PDT
Firefighters attack an explosive blaze fueled by magnesium early Tuesday, June 14, 2016, in Maywood. The smell from the fire spread across the Southland. (Photo by Mike Meadows/Special to the Los Angeles Daily News)
An early morning magnesium fire in Maywood has raised health concerns because the pungent odor from the smoke migrated into portions of Los Angeles, including the San Fernando Valley, officials said this morning.
The Los Angeles Fire Department reported via Twitter this morning that the odor from overnight fires — including a fire in the city of Maywood “remains noteworthy across Greater L.A. “There was also a fire in the city’s Westlake district in which one person died,” the department said.
Los Angeles County Fire Department spokeswoman Vanessa Lozono said the odor from the Maywood warehouse blaze is due to the metals in the magnesium.
The odor from the blaze was noticeable from Studio City to Woodland Hills.
Air quality and public health officials were monitoring the situation and assessing what health risk there is.
The South Coast Air Quality Management District received 35 calls regarding the odor, AQMD spokesman Sam Atwood said.
The agency sent a team to test the air near Maywood and issued a smoke advisory this morning stating that air quality in Los Angeles County is being affected by the fire south of downtown Los Angeles.
“In areas affected by odors, residents should follow common-sense measures and avoid vigorous exercise outdoors if they experience respiratory or eye irritation due to smoke or odors,” it said.
The county fire department is also testing the air at the fire site and surrounding neighborhoods, Lozono said.
The Los Angeles County Health Department also expressed concern about the air.
“We’re on standby and we have people there, as well, monitoring (the situation), said spokesman Bernard Tolliver.
The county’s interim health officer, Dr. Jeffrey Gunzenhauser, also issued a health alert.
“We are also advising schools that are in session in smoke-impacted areas to suspend outside physical activities in these areas, including physical education and after-school sports, until conditions improve,” Gunzenhauser said in a statement. “Non-school related sports organizations for children and adults are advised to cancel outdoor practices and competitions in areas where there is visible smoke, soot, or ash, or where there is an odor of smoke. This also applies to other recreational outdoor activity, such as hikes or picnics, in these areas.