Results
Air Results
The CAP AIR study in support of an ambient air quality monitoring network in the Palisades is led by Dr. Yifang Zhu, professor of Environmental Health Sciences at UCLA. This study complements Dr. Zhu’s current indoor and outdoor sampling research (see more here). CAP AIR is a system of monitoring stations set up across the Palisades area to measure and track pollutants in the outdoor air over time. It's designed to provide data on the concentration of harmful substances in the atmosphere—helping communities and policymakers understand air quality and its health or environmental impacts. The CAP AIR project was inspired by the Caltech PHOENIX network and provides an example of the kind of multi-institution research effort that will support a strong recovery for communities across the LA region.
CAP AIR uses QuantAQ sensors throughout the Palisades to monitor EPA criteria pollutants that may be present post-fire. QuantAQ monitors developed by MIT and Aerodyne Research provide reliable, real-time data that supports informed decision-making and enhances public health protection.
Real-time data access for minute-by-minute data streaming, enabling immediate response to changing air quality conditions.
Measurements include estimates for PM1, PM2.5, and PM10 concentrations and provide particle size distribution.
Click to read her report Early Findings from the First 10 Weeks of Monitoring
Data is available here and reflects minute-by-minute data streaming, enabling immediate response to changing air quality conditions.
Soil Results
The soil testing and analysis component of CAP. includes researchers from UCLA and Loyola Marymount University. Dr. Sanjay Mohanty (UCLA) leads and oversees the soil collection, methodology, and analysis. CAP.LA is completing its soil collection of properties in the burn zones and is returning results to homeowners as they come back in from the lab. Here is a Soil Information Sheet in English and Español with answers to frequently asked questions. A map and slide deck of de-identified and aggregated data will be shared here in the coming weeks.
We’ve also held five drop-off pop-ups in the first half of 2025 and received several hundred samples. Click to view the map of lead levels. Please note mapped data are de-identified, aggregated, reflect soil pop-up testing only, and are meant to support a better understanding of results specific to impacted neighborhoods.
Water Results
As part of the CAP.LA efforts, a team of researchers led by Dr. Caitlin Proctor (Purdue University) collected water from ~100 pools, with an even representation between the Eaton and Palisades fire areas. Data was delivered to participants about the metal and SVOC (semi-volatile organic compound) contaminant concentrations of pool water. Many of these contaminants were screened due to their presence in the environment after past wildfires. Overall, metal contaminant concentrations in pool waters sampled were unremarkable and test results indicated limited health risk.
Click to download the Pool Water Results Information Sheet. A webinar about the findings “LA Pools Study: What was in the water after the January 2025 wildfires?” was held on August 18, 2025. Click to see the slide deck and click to view the webinar.
Community Results
From April 2025-June 2025, an online community survey was conducted led by Dr. Andrew Whelton (Purdue University). The survey, called the Recovery Efforts By Uniting Individuals, Listening, and Discovery (REBUILD) study was initiated in direct response to the overwhelming number of questions received by the researchers and preliminary findings of the onsite household interviews and property inspections.
The final report is here. A webinar was held about the findings, “The REBUILD Survey: Overview, household experiences, needs, and perceptions” was held on September 20, 2025. Click to view the slide deck and click to view the webinar.