The LA Fires Spewed Out Toxic Nanoparticles. He Made It His Mission to Trace Them

The article centers on Nicholas Spada, a project scientist at UC Davis’ Air Quality Research Center, who has taken on the critical task of tracing toxic nanoparticles released during the unusual 2025 Los Angeles wildfires. These fires, fueled largely by manmade materials such as lawn chemicals, asbestos insulation, lead paint, and lithium batteries, erupted unexpectedly in winter due to strong Santa Ana winds. Unlike typical wildfires, these urban blazes emitted highly toxic substances, including aerosolized particles and nanoparticles that pose significant health risks. Spada employs a specialized nuclear method using protons to detect and analyze these ultrafine particles, which are particularly dangerous because their tiny size allows them to penetrate deep into human organs, potentially causing cancer, autoimmune disorders, and dementia. Spada’s research focuses on quantifying the exposure Angelenos experienced, especially to hazardous substances like PFAS “forever chemicals” and transformed nanoparticles such as titanium monoxide, which forms when titanium dioxide pigments are exposed to extreme heat and becomes more