Alandra Lopez, PhD, a Planetary Health Postdoctoral Fellow at Stanford, is on a mission to uncover the environmental toxins that affect the health of communities, from groundwater to wildfire-ravaged landscapes. Her multifaceted research, driven by a commitment to community well-being, has unveiled potential health hazards related to wildfires and groundwater contamination.
Growing up in rural Massachusetts, Lopez’s reliance on groundwater from private wells sparked her interest in earth systems science. Her journey from exploring toxins in groundwater to investigating the aftermath of wildfires demonstrates a cohesive goal: utilizing scientific insights to improve community health. Lopez’s unique perspective as a Stanford/LSHTM Planetary Health Postdoctoral Fellow allows her to engage with communities and develop practical solutions to minimize exposure to environmental health hazards.
Lopez’s recent research, conducted in collaboration with Stanford experts from the Doerr School of Sustainability and the School of Medicine, focuses on the aftermath of catastrophic wildfires. Studying the prevalence and health impacts of harmful metals released during wildfires, particularly in metal-rich areas like the Coast Ranges of Northern California, Lopez explores the potential risks of groundwater contamination.
Her initial interest in wildfires stemmed from research on groundwater contamination, specifically examining the transformation of chromium, a naturally occurring element in many Northern California landscapes. The research led Lopez to investigate how intensely hot wildfires might alter the landscape and contribute to groundwater contamination risks.
As Lopez collected soil samples from recently burned areas, including locations affected by the 2019 Kincade Fire and the 2020 LNU Complex Fire, she realized the broader implications of her work. Collaborating with local partners, firefighters, and medical experts, Lopez witnessed the human, medical, and emotional aspects of her research. Wildland firefighters expressed concerns about their health and sought information about potential exposures, highlighting the real-world impact of environmental research.
Analyzing soil samples from the LNU Complex Fire, Lopez discovered elevated levels of hexavalent chromium, a dangerous carcinogen, in the soil for up to a year post-wildfire. This revelation raised concerns about the health risks faced by firefighters and residents in these burned areas, particularly due to the potential dispersal of harmful particles by wind.
Lopez’s findings, recently published in Nature Communications, underscore the urgent need for further research on the presence of toxic metals in wildfire smoke and their potential harm to human health. In the second year of her fellowship, Lopez plans to study how these toxic particles in the air impact different parts of the body.
Her overarching goal is to leverage insights gained from California’s wildfires to benefit communities globally. Wildfire-prone landscapes exist on every continent except Antarctica, and Lopez hopes that the knowledge gained from her research will provide valuable information to regions worldwide.
Alandra Lopez’s work epitomizes the intersection of scientific inquiry and community well-being, showcasing the vital role of research in addressing environmental health challenges. As she delves deeper into the impact of wildfires on human health, Lopez remains committed to advancing planetary health and making a positive difference in communities worldwide.
