New Report Released on Health Impacts of Boyle Heights Fire
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, August 18 2026
Contact: Cabot Petoia | clpetoia@gmail.com | 828-899-9239
New Report Released on Health Impacts of Boyle Heights Fire
Public Health Network Releases Data Highlighting Severe Health Concerns
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Los Angeles – As Boyle Heights residents continue dealing with the aftermath of the massive warehouse fire that began burning in June – including the stench and vermin attracted by the millions of pounds of rotting meat that have yet to be fully cleaned up – St. John’s Community Health today released a report outlining the severe and ongoing health impacts of the fire as seen through their mobile clinics.
The report can be read in full here.
St. John’s Community Health worked closely with Inner City Struggle and Inclusive Action to hand out thousands of air purifiers and tens of thousands of N95 masks.
“When disasters happen in working-class neighborhoods like Boyle Heights, there’s often a sense it can be swept under the rug – this report signals many people are paying attention to the short and long-term health impacts of the warehouse fire,” said Jim Mangia, president and CEO of St. John’s Community Health. “The fire may be out, but its effects continue to be a serious public health concern that needs serious attention, intervention, accountability, and action from Lineage Logistics.”
Key findings of the report include:
35.9 percent of patients served met surveillance criteria directly related to toxic exposure and smoke inhalation – including acute upper respiratory infections, eye disorders and conjunctivitis, persistent cough, asthma exacerbation and other respiratory conditions and distress.
Of the 35.9 percent meeting surveillance criteria:
91.7 percent were Hispanic/Latino or Mexican
64.4 percent were female
63.5 percent were age 50 or older
26.6 percent of total patients received toxic smoke exposure diagnoses and 24.5 percent of total patients received hazardous substance exposure diagnoses (categories overlap).
Dozens of patients were prescribed anxiety and/or sleep medication to treat acute stress post-fire, which was related to: environmental exposure, sleep disruption and insomnia, housing instability, lease termination requests, relocation concerns, ongoing uncertainty regarding environmental safety, and psychosocial distress associated with displacement and recovery.
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St. John’s Community Health is a network of 24 community health centers and 4 mobile clinics providing free and low-cost health care in South, Central, and East Los Angeles; the Inland Empire; and the Coachella Valley.