Introduction
Wildfires don’t just burn through forests and homes—they release invisible toxins into the air, water, and soil that can harm the body.1,2,3
Understanding these toxins, their impact on your body, and how to aid your body’s ability to detox effectively is critical. Once you know how these toxins impact long-term health and know your exposure levels, you can take strategic steps to support your individual health as you move forward.
The Toxic Aftermath: What’s in Wildfire Smoke?
Heavy Metals: Neurotoxic and Inflammatory
What They Are
When vegetation, soil, homes, cars, and utility lines burn, heavy metals like lead, mercury, aluminum, and arsenic are released.4 These metals don’t just disappear after the fire—they settle into the environment and find their way into the body through inhalation or absorption.1,2
How They Impact the Body
Once inside, heavy metals can:
- Accumulate in tissues, disrupting neurological function5,6
- Damage kidneys7,8
- Increase cardiovascular disease risks9
- Trigger systemic inflammation10
- Weaken immunity11
- Impair respiratory health12
- Raise the risk of chronic disease13,14,15
How to Take Charge
Monitor your exposure by testing lead, mercury, aluminum, and arsenic. Then, take steps to support your liver and kidney health.
BPA: The Hormone Disruptor
What It Is
When plastics burn—including those in electronics and building materials—they release the chemical BPA into the air.16,17
How It Impacts the Body
Once inside, BPA mimics estrogen and disrupts hormone balance,18 increasing the risk of:
- Infertility19,20
- Insulin resistance21,22,23
- Developmental issues24,25
How to Take Charge
Support your body’s natural detoxification processes to help eliminate BPA and reduce its effects.
PFAS: The “Forever Chemicals”
What They Are
PFAS are chemicals commonly found in firefighting foam and flame retardants,26,27 and when released into the environment, they persist indefinitely.
How They Impact the Body
These chemicals can:
- Accumulate in the liver and kidneys28,29
- Affect the immune system30,31
- Increase the risk of hormone disruption32,33 and infertility34,35
- Increase the risk of metabolic disorders36,37
- Increase the risk of cancer38
How to Take Charge
Test for PFAS to gauge your exposure levels. Then, take action to help your body eliminate these persistent toxins.
How Toxins Attack Your Health
Once inhaled or absorbed, these toxins don’t just pass through—they stay. The result is oxidative stress,1 inflammation,10 and hormonal dysfunction32,33—which can increase disease risk,3,14,15 and long-term damage.7,8,38 But there are ways to counteract this damage and protect your health moving forward.43,44,45
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Action Steps to Support Your Body Post-Wildfire Exposure
While you can’t control if you’ve been exposed, you can decide what you do next. You have the power to protect and support your health—here’s how to take action:
1. Boost Antioxidant Defenses
Eat colorful, organic fruits, vegetables, leafy greens, nuts, and seeds to neutralize free radicals, reduce oxidative stress, and protect cells from toxin damage.39,40 Load up on cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and kale, which contain sulforaphane to naturally improve glutathione levels.41,42
2. Support Your Liver and Kidneys
Consider supplementing with glutathione, milk thistle, or NAC (N-acetylcysteine) to support detoxification and help your body process harmful substances more efficiently.43,44,45 And remember to stay hydrated. Drink water and consume water-rich foods like cucumber, watermelon, and celery to support kidney function and waste elimination.46,47
3. Up Your Fiber
Incorporate fiber, especially soluble fiber, to bind to toxins in the digestive tract and promote their excretion.48,49 Chia seeds, flaxseeds, and leafy greens are great sources of fiber.
4. Test Your Exposure Levels
Wildfire toxins aren’t visible, but they leave an impact. Testing helps you understand your exposure and take intentional action for your health. And testing every 3-6 months means you can track improvements and adjust your health strategy as needed.
Function Health includes mercury and lead testing in its annual membership, and offers optional aluminum, arsenic, BPA, and PFAS testing to help gauge toxin levels. Biomarkers like hs-CRP50,51 and homocysteine52,53 measure systemic inflammation and oxidative stress, while liver and kidney tests provide insights into your body’s ability to process and eliminate toxins—all included in Function membership.54,55
5. Connect with Community to Reduce Stress
Health isn’t just physical. Social connection can play a powerful role in reducing inflammation and stress.56 Checking in on neighbors and reaching out to loved ones can contribute to resilience in the wake of stressful events like wildfires. Taking care of your health is easier when you have a strong support system.57
Why This Matters to Us
Function was born in LA. It’s the place that held us as this mission came to life. Watching wildfires devastate this place is personal, and we believe protecting health in the aftermath is just as important as putting out the flames.
LA County Firefighters: A Gift of Health
If you’re an LA County firefighter, we’re gifting you a Function membership and PFAS testing—because your health shouldn’t be the cost of service. Learn more and get your gifted Function membership here.
LA First Responders: Expanding Access
If you’re an LA first responder, we’re actively looking into ways to expand access. Share your contact info here to be the first to know if more gifted memberships become available. Thank you for your service.
Strengthening Your Health After Wildfires
Toxins don’t disappear when the smoke clears. They settle into bodies,1,2 disrupting hormones,32,33 immunity,30,31 and long-term health.7,8,38 But information is power, and taking the proper steps now can help mitigate the impact. Now’s the time to test, support your body’s ability to eliminate these toxins,43,44,45,48,49 and move forward with your health in focus.
Wildfires are beyond your control, but your health? You have a say in that. Be intentional and give your body what it needs to thrive after wildfire exposure.
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