In response to multiple fires that impacted air quality across Los Angeles, the City Council voted Friday to request a report on current conditions and health risks to better inform and protect residents.
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In a 13-0 vote, council members approved a motion to invite experts from the L.A. County Department of Public Health and the South Coast Air Quality Management District. The City Council wants information on air quality during and after the fires, along with guidance on protecting residents during cleanup.
Council members Nithya Raman and Tim McOsker were absent during the vote.
Council members Traci Park, Adrin Nazarian and Katy Yaroslavsky introduced the motion on Jan. 24.
During a span of two-weeks, multiple fires broke out across Los Angeles city and county, filling the air with smoke, ash and soot for days.
The county's Public Health declared a local health emergency in regard to poor air quality. AQMD also monitored the impacts on air quality, issuing warning advisories for the most impacted areas.
Thanks to firefighting efforts and recent rain, the fires have been extinguished, but concerns remain about health risks from the cleanup process.
Residents raised concerns about the transportation of fire debris and potential exposure to harmful particulates.
"We should get ahead of this bad situation with information for how people can protect themselves and loved ones," the motion reads. "This is especially important as people are racing to being the clean up of their properties, and they need to be aware of the condition of the debris and not disturb it to the point of exposing themselves and others to harmful particulates."
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