PASADENA, California: Because many people are worried about dangerous chemicals in smoke, ash, and debris from recent wildfires, Los Angeles County Public Health is offering free blood tests for lead. The testing is available near burn areas in Altadena and Pacific Palisades.

In January, Tony and Jacqueline Collier watched helplessly as the Eaton wildfire destroyed many homes in their Altadena neighborhood. Their own home still stands, but the inside is badly damaged. They now visit once a week and worry about the pollution.

"The cleanup trucks pass by all the time, sometimes without covering the debris. Even though our house was cleaned twice, we still see soot and ash," said Jacqueline Collier, 64. "It's dangerous." Because she has health issues, she signed up for the blood test right away.

Tony Collier hopes the test results will bring peace of mind. "I have precious cargo—my wife, my kids, my dog. I want to be here for them," he said.

Altadena had many old and historic homes. Now, many are gone, and piles of burned rubble remain as cleanup teams slowly work.

Janet Scully from LA County Public Health explained that homes built before 1978 likely had lead-based paint. When those homes burned, lead may have been released into the air, soil, and water.

Another Altadena resident, Michele Zack, said she also worries about the toxic air. "Even with masks, we can't stay at the site long. We start coughing and feel it's unsafe."

Scully added that lead poisoning often shows no clear signs at first. In children, symptoms can include stomach pain, irritability, trouble learning, and developmental delays.

The free blood testing will be available through August.