Soot and burnt structures left behind in Lāhainā are extremely toxic

Soot and burnt structures left behind in Lāhainā are extremely toxic. Read more to see how you can protect yourself & your ʻohana

Photo by: Tiffany DeMasters

CONCERN

Homes and commercial structures break down into hazardous substances when burned, including plastics, petroleum products (asphalt shingles), treated wood, adhesives, and heavy metals. Burnt ash may include arsenic, cobalt, chromium, lead, mercury, phthalates and PAHs.

Electronics, appliances, batteries, vehicles, household chemicals, pesticides and herbicides become hazardous when burned.Ash and soot can be difficult to clean without making it airborne.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

After a fire, the remaining ash, debris and soil will be contaminated with hazardous chemicals. The dangers may not be obvious.

Toxic particulate matter can enter the body through the lungs or by contact with the skin. You may be exposed to skin contamination by eating, drinking, or smoking without washing your hands.

Benzene and PAHs and Dioxins may have entered water sources and could enter the screams, coastline and the aquatic life.

IMPACT

Residual smoke and ash are made of hazardous chemicals that, in the long term, can cause severe injury, damage DNA of individuals and even their offspring, and cause death.

Everyone is at risk. Those at the greatest risk are infants, children, the elderly, and those with weakened respiratory systems or cardiac ailments.

VOCs Volatile Organic Compounds

Human-made chemicals used in thousands of products, from paints and drugs to cleaning supplies and office equipment. Exposure causes eye, nose and throat irritation, breathing difficulty and nausea. Heavy exposure causes nervous system and organ damage, while some are linked to cancer.

Burning plastic releases hydrochloric acid, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide and heavy metals.

DIOXINS

Generated when plastics burn. They are incredibly long-lived and remain in ash and soil.

Short-term exposure: skin lesions (chloracne), patchy darkening of the skin, and altered liver function.

Long-term exposure: is linked to impairment of the immune system, the developing nervous system, the endocrine system and reproductive functions.

Also linked to: cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, porphyria, endometriosis, early menopause, reduced testosterone and thyroid hormones, altered immunologic response, skin, tooth, and nail abnormalities, altered growth factor signaling, and altered metabolism.

There is no safe exposure amount to Dioxins and some of the toxic plastic byproducts.

WAYS OF PROTECTION

• WEAR A RESPIRATOR

• WEAR CHEMICAL-RESISTANT GLOVES

• DRINK BOTTLED / SAFE WATER

• Wet dust, debris, ash, and soil before and during removal

• Limit skin contact with soot and wash yourself regularly

• Don't eat or smoke while in contact with soot

• Wash exposed clothes separately and well

• Proper personal protective equipment (PPE) should be worn by anyone entering an environment affected by fire. Ideally, this would include outer coveralls such as Tyvek® suits, a fit-tested respirator with P-100 type filters designed for vapors or a supplied air or powered air-purifying respirator, gloves, boots, etc.

NOTE:

• Ozone and Hydroxyl can produce hazardous byproducts and are not proven to be 100% effective in removing all toxic chemicals or particulate matter from surfaces or the air.

• Sealing or encapsulating exposed surfaces or applying liquid deodorizers does not address toxic particulate matter suspended in the air, soot, or VOC’s.

RESOURCES

• https://restorerz.com/health-risks-after-house-fire/#:~:text=Toxins%20and%20soot%20particles%20linger,for%20everyone%20who%20breathes%20it.

• https://www.randrmagonline.com/articles/89889-soot-char-and-ash-its-more-toxic-than-you-think

• https://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/fire_resp_protection.html

• Worker Safety and Health During Fire Cleanup

  • https://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/wildfire/worker-health-and-safety-during-fire-cleanup.html

• Addressing Toxic Smoke Particulates in Fire Restoration

  • https://theredguidetorecovery.com/addressing-toxic-smoke-particulates-in-fire-restoration-2/

• Maui residents face lingering toxic hazards in aftermath of deadly wildfires

  • https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/maui-residents-face-lingering-toxic-hazards-in-aftermath-of-deadly-wildfires

• Plastic pipes are polluting drinking water systems after wildfires – it’s a risk in urban fires, too

  • https://theconversation.com/plastic-pipes-are-polluting-drinking-water-systems-after-wildfires-its-a-risk-in-urban-fires-too-150923

• Indiana plastics fire raises worries about health dangers

  • https://apnews.com/article/richmond-indiana-fire-plastics-asbestos-3ee7ddcbb08572ea19bdfe9a928c6097

• Plastics & Polymerization: What Firefighters Need To Know

  • https://www.firehouse.com/rescue/article/10544313/plastics-polymerization-what-firefighters-need-to-know