Wildfires Leave Behind Toxic Ash and Hazardous Debris Threatening Returning Residents
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those effected by the recent wildfires and to the brave firefighters. Hazardous substances left behind in the toxic ash may result in unnecessary exposure endangering returning residents. Shifting through the untreated and dangerous ash and debris could have lasting health effects.
This disastrous event is deeply personal to me and us at GLOBAL Encasement, Inc.(GEI) Our corporate headquarters is in Ventura, CA where the wildfires are raging out of control and where many of our loved ones reside. We incorporated in CA in 1994 starting out of our offices in Carpinteria, CA where the historic Thomas fire has now progressed and there is a full evacuation. So, as you all can imagine this is very close to my heart.
I’m having many discussions about these disastrous wildfires and how the aftermath pose environmental concerns following the initial threat and how we at GEI can help.
The fallout from the wildfires is immediate although much of the trouble continues when clean-up starts.
The clean-up can cause a whole set of different concerns that can be dealt with using some simple solutions.
These devastating wildfires leave whole neighborhoods covered in dangerous, hazardous debris and toxic ash. This negative assortment of hazardous debris and toxic ash can contain potentially harmful levels of heavy metals which include antimony, chromium, arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead and zinc. This mixed array of hazardous debris can also contain electronic waste from computers, monitors, batteries and other toxic substances from, paints, PCB’s (polychlorinated biphenyls) and asbestos.
All these substances burn down into concentrated toxic ash that has potential to do much harm especially during the clean-up.
It is important to contain and control the risks of typical building materials that are sometimes hazardous when altered and released into the environment. These materials are usually safe and easily managed until disaster strikes. Wildfires can completely change the composition of typical household items turning them into hazardous debris and toxic ash that pose risks during clean-up.
As the massive clean-up begins if these materials are not properly controlled and contained they have the potential to being released into the environment and exposing many to their harmful effects.
With proper techniques and procedures and the right products the complicated clean-up process from disasters can be simplified. In the past, these environmental issues have caused severe challenges - not only in the short term but more often in the long term.
There is an initial, primary threat that takes place during the disaster and then there is potential for a secondary threat immediately after a disaster. This secondary risk comes from the discharge of hazards once they are disturbed and released during clean-up.
The first step in any clean-up operation is to evaluate the situation, then contain and remove the hazardous debris. This includes the concentrations of toxic ash that has burnt down from a variety of products. Wetting the debris and ash with water immediately minimizes inhalation from the release of toxic dust that can become airborne and cause exposure. This process of wetting with straight water is only good until the water evaporates and the material again dies out. Wetting that same material with GEI’s MPE (Multi Purpose Encapsulant) not only holds it down while it is wet but also holds it in place after the water evaporates and the MPE cures. This allows clean-up with less chance of toxic exposure and the rerelease of the hazardous materials.
This proven method of dust and hazardous material control is designed to minimize the potential impacts to people and the community.
Toxic Ash can be easily controlled & contained with GLOBAL Encasement Inc's MPE.
It’s important to know and understand that the same proven techniques and products can be of benefit in so many different situations.
This same control & containment method with MPE is used after other disasters such as tornados, earthquakes, hurricanes, typhoons, tropical storms, rising rivers and tsunamis where products and surfaces have been altered. It is also a proven method of control when removing other hazardous materials such as asbestos, lead-based paint and solid PCB’s.
All these neighborhoods will need to be rebuilt and as that reconstruction takes place consideration should be given to using clean technology to produce fire resistant surfaces with products designed for this. One of the best products on the market is Mighty Fire Breaker found at this link: http://www.mfiresuppression.com/home.html
If possible you can also take defensive action before the fires strikes your property by applying Mighty FireBreaker™ AAF21 and AAF31 Fire Inhibitors which is supported by US testing and code approvals.
