Fire Retardants: Can They Harm Those That They Help?

KQED's The California Report

Firefighter aircraft were cheered on back in January, when they were making headlines as they painted the areas being scorched by the Palisades and Eaton Fires in Los Angeles County with fire retardant. However, scientists are starting to wonder whether the contents of these retardants could impact the health or the environment of the people who have to eventually rebuild these communities that were devastated by wildfires.

Thousands in California are preparing to demonstrate against President Trump's efforts to cut funding to the National Institute of Health. He has already stalled about $1.5 billion dollars in medical research funds, which have had wide-ranging effects, impacting studies into long COVID and cancer, among others.

Meanwhile, the Trump Administration has revoked visas from hundreds of international students that were studying in the United States, including dozens from the Bay Area. Two students in California have decided to push back.

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