Introduction
In January 2025, a fire at the Vistra Energy Battery Energy Storage Facility in Moss Landing sent smoke into the air and raised concerns throughout Monterey and Santa Cruz counties. While not the first incident at this site, it served as a renewed reminder of the potential risks associated with large-scale battery energy storage systems.
Public health leaders responded quickly. The Monterey County Health Department and the Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency launched a joint community health survey to capture what residents were experiencing firsthand. The goal of the survey was to identify symptoms, track potential exposure, and assess whether the community was safe.
And now, the results are in.
Overview of the Incident
The fire at Moss Landing was more than a local event. It was a warning sign for energy storage systems everywhere. Located near residential neighborhoods and critical ecosystems, the facility holds one of the largest lithium-ion battery systems in the United States. In 2022, it made headlines due to thermal management issues. In 2023, it faced mechanical malfunctions.
By 2025, when another fire broke out, residents knew something was wrong. Smoke, odors, and emergency alerts reached communities across both counties. Families limited time outdoors. Schools issued advisories. People began experiencing health-related symptoms.
Purpose of the Survey
To cut through the noise, local health officials did what leaders should do. They asked.
The community health survey was developed by Monterey County and Santa Cruz County public health teams. Its purpose was to:
- Understand what people were feeling physically after the fire
- Gauge the emotional and environmental concerns of nearby residents
- Inform public policy, safety protocols, and future emergency response
The results would serve as both a reflection and a roadmap.
Survey Methodology
The survey was made available online, allowing residents from both counties to participate easily and quickly. In the days and weeks following the fire, both health departments promoted the survey via emergency communications, public websites, and community groups.
Target Audience and Scope
Anyone who lived near or downwind of the Moss Landing site was encouraged to participate. The survey included:
- Residents of all ages and backgrounds
- Community members in both Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties
- Individuals with firsthand exposure to smoke, ash, or emergency alerts
The intent was to capture a full picture of community experience across demographics and geography.
Summary of Key Findings
The survey results provide a detailed look into the physical, emotional, and environmental experiences of residents impacted by the Moss Landing fire. The findings reveal not only the immediate symptoms felt by individuals, but also deeper community concerns about exposure, long-term health, and emergency communication gaps.
Symptom Reporting
The numbers were striking.
83% of survey participants reported experiencing at least one symptom following the fire. These symptoms were consistent with smoke exposure and chemical irritants:
- Headaches
- Sore throats
- Persistent cough
- Eye and skin irritation
- Shortness of breath
Some respondents also noted fatigue, dizziness, and nausea. While the majority described symptoms as temporary, several reported symptoms that lingered for days or returned intermittently.
Additionally, households with young children and elderly members were more likely to report multiple symptoms, highlighting the vulnerability of certain population groups.
Community Submissions and Concerns
In addition to symptom tracking, the survey invited residents to submit their concerns. And they did.
Local environmental health departments received dozens of calls and written reports. Residents asked hard questions:
- What was in the smoke?
- Were the batteries releasing toxic gases?
- Was long-term exposure going to affect their health?
Many responses expressed concern over not just individual health, but community-wide risks such as air and water contamination, evacuation protocols, and the transparency of communication from authorities.
The feedback was clear. People were worried. They were paying attention. And they expected answers.
Public Health Response
Monterey County published the survey results publicly in June 2025. Rather than bury the findings, they opened the data up for residents, researchers, and regulators to explore.
Santa Cruz County followed suit, reinforcing the importance of shared communication.
Ongoing Investigations and Monitoring
Based on survey feedback, Monterey County Environmental Health began new rounds of air and soil sampling. They’re looking for particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, and other byproducts of lithium-ion battery combustion.
These efforts aim to:
- Confirm or rule out long-term environmental exposure
- Provide scientific backing for future health guidance
- Reassure the public that risks are being taken seriously
As testing progresses, health departments are working to compare findings against baseline data and regional air quality standards. This will help determine whether the Moss Landing fire caused residual contamination or elevated health risks, guiding decisions on whether additional remediation or health interventions are necessary.
Implications for Regional Health and Safety
Short-Term Impact
In the days and weeks following the fire, clinics reported an increase in health inquiries. People sought help for breathing problems. Schools fielded questions from parents. Some families temporarily relocated.
Communication protocols were tested, and, in some cases, fell short. Not everyone received alerts in time. Some weren’t sure where to get reliable information.
Long-Term Considerations
The survey results offer a glimpse into the potential public health impact of battery storage incidents. As more battery facilities are built to support clean energy goals, safety must evolve alongside them.
This includes:
- Investing in fire-resistant battery technologies like immersion cooling
- Creating health surveillance systems that activate during industrial emergencies
- Developing clear air quality thresholds that trigger school and shelter guidance
A forward-looking approach is essential as energy infrastructure expands. These strategies are not just theoretical; they are critical to preventing future health crises. Residents have made their expectations known, and it is now up to industry leaders and public agencies to respond with solutions that protect both people and the environment.
EticaAG’s Role in Preventing Future Incidents
The Moss Landing fire underscored two major vulnerabilities in battery energy storage systems: the risk of thermal runaway leading to fires and the release of hazardous gases that can harm nearby residents and responders. EticaAG addresses both of these challenges head-on with two integrated technologies: LiquidShield Immersion Cooling Technology and HazGuard. Together, they represent a comprehensive safety strategy designed to prevent incidents like Moss Landing from happening again.
Immersion Cooling: Stopping Fires Before They Start
Traditional cooling systems, whether air or liquid-plate, struggle to prevent thermal runaway during high-demand or fault conditions. EticaAG’s LiquidShield Immersion Cooling Technology takes a radically different approach by submerging every battery cell in a non-conductive, non-flammable cooling fluid. This direct-contact cooling method ensures uniform temperature control and eliminates hotspots.
Key benefits include:
- Prevention of thermal runaway by rapidly dissipating heat at the cell level
- No ignition source, since the cooling fluid is fire-inhibiting by design
- Inherent containment of cell-level failures, reducing the risk of fire propagation
In the context of Moss Landing, where thermal runaway triggered smoke and fire concerns across multiple neighborhoods, this technology could have prevented the chain reaction from occurring in the first place.
HazGuard: Neutralizing Toxic Emissions at the Source
Even when fires are controlled, lithium-ion battery incidents can emit hazardous gases such as hydrogen fluoride and volatile organic compounds. These pose a serious risk to human health, especially in densely populated areas.
EticaAG’s HazGuard system provides a second layer of defense. It works by enclosing each battery module in a sealed environment equipped with reactive filtration media. In the event of cell venting or gas release, HazGuard activates to:
- Capture and neutralize toxic gases before they escape into the surroundings
- Filter emissions through engineered media, converting harmful compounds into safer byproducts
- Protect responders and nearby residents by eliminating airborne health threats
This capability is especially relevant to the Moss Landing fire, where community survey responses noted symptoms consistent with chemical exposure. Had HazGuard been deployed, the containment and neutralization of off-gassed toxins could have significantly reduced the health impact.
Together, immersion cooling technology and HazGuard form a best-in-class system that addresses both the ignition and emissions risks associated with lithium-ion BESS. For municipalities, utilities, and developers, these technologies offer not just compliance but confidence.
Conclusion
The Moss Landing fire was a moment of disruption. But the community survey that followed? That was a moment of clarity.
We now have a better idea of how many people were affected. What they felt. What they feared. And what they expect from the institutions meant to protect them.
As we look ahead, let’s make sure our energy future includes not just more batteries, but safer ones. Not just more infrastructure, but resilient communities. And not just more data, but action rooted in what people are truly experiencing.
That’s where EticaAG’s LiquidShield Immersion Cooling Technology and HazGuard Toxic Gas Neutralization come together as a comprehensive safety solution. Immersion technology prevents fires by keeping batteries thermally stable and eliminating ignition pathways. HazGuard addresses the invisible threat by capturing and neutralizing hazardous gases before they can harm residents and responders.
Together, these technologies represent more than just engineering advances. They’re a path to restoring community trust, meeting regulatory expectations, and ensuring that battery storage projects are as safe as they are sustainable.
We’re not just storing energy anymore. We’re preventing fires, neutralizing toxins, and protecting people too.
And that’s exactly where our focus needs to be.
