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http://electrocorpairpurification.wordpress.com/2011/06/21/environmental-impact-of-wildfires-

and-related-iaq-concerns/Environmental impact of wildfires and related IAQconcernsJune 21, 2011 inIndoor Air Quality,Toxic chemicals| Tags:activated carbon,environment,health,indoor air quality,polycyclic

aromatic hydrocarbon,United States Environmental Protection Agency,University of Alberta,wildfire

Wildfires have a long-lasting effect on the environment and human health.

Wildfires leave much more behind than fire-scarred buildings, ash and a swath of destruction.

As homeowners and business owners all over North America return to the regions that wereaffected by wildfires raging in Utah, Arizona, Florida, Colorado, Alaska and Alberta(seeAllerAirsQ&A blog post), experts are worried about the environmental legacy they will

encounter.

If theres a really heavy fire and you burn up plastic youll end up with some of that residual,partially burnt plastic in the soil, said Anne Naeth, a biologist and expert in land reclamation at

the University of Alberta, in a recent article from The Canadian Press.

Not only were houses and businesses burnt to the ground, wildfires also claimed vehicles, gasstations and other sources of inorganic and organic toxins.

Many of those compounds, including zinc, lead, mercury, copper, cadmium from burned wiring,

piping, auto parts, broken lights and thermometers; dioxins and furans from burning tires; PCBsand PAHs, probably phthalates and polybrominated compounds from other burned plastics,upholstery, etc may dissipate quickly, experts say.

Exposure to heavy metals a concern

However, the article cites one of the few studies done on the environmental impact of wildfires in

residential areas, which suggests that heavy metals will probably stick around. The U.S. GeologicalSurvey looked into what happened after fires in southern California roared through residentialdevelopments in 2007.

For arsenic, lead and antimony, concentrations in one or both of the residential composite ashsamples approach or exceedU.S. Environmental Protection Agencyresidential soil preliminaryremediation guidelines, the report says.

The study also found elevated levels of chromium. As well, it found the remaining ash was soalkaline it was caustic significantly more so than ash from woodland fires.

Exposure to heavy metals has been linked with developmental retardation, various cancers andkidney damage.

Environmental experts also voiced concerns about damaged soil, since the heat bakes the claycomponent of dirt almost as if firing it in a kiln, leaving it unable to absorb water.

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Source: Canadian Press

Indoor air quality may suffer after wildfire

Wildfire smoke poses a very serious health risk as 80 to 90% of wildfire smoke is within the fine

particle range. These fine particles are generally less than 2.5 microns in diameter and can

penetrate deep into the body.

An increase in this type of airborne particulate matter has been linked to numerous healthproblems including headaches, nausea, dizziness, respiratory problems, strokes and heart attacks.

Children, pregnant women, those suffering from existing respiratory conditions and older adultsare even more susceptible to the effects of wildfire smoke particulate.

Smoke can also travel far beyond the main burn zone. Studies show that even a small increase in

airborne fine particulate matter can affect overall health.

Air cleaners for better indoor air quality

AllerAir and Electrocorp offer air filtration systems with high efficiency particle filters and deep-bedactivated carbon filtersto remove harmful chemicals, particles and odors associated withtobacco and wildfire smoke.

Clients can choose frompowerful air purifiers for the home and officeto industrial-strength units

for use in variouscommercial and industrial applications.

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