Asbestos and Fires

Fires have the potential to be some of the most destructive natural disasters. States such as Florida and California are well known for their brush fires, which typically occur under dry conditions and can be sparked by lightning, campfires, cigarette butts, fireworks and the like. On June 24, 2007, the devastating Angora fire in California produced a massive blaze that destroyed 254 homes and covered 3,100 acres. The fire, which began as an illegal campfire, lasted nine days before firefighters were able to contain the blaze.

Threat of Asbestos Exposure from Fire

For homes that have suffered great damage or total destruction from natural fires, one the largest concerns is asbestos. Commonly considered one of the greatest known environmental hazards, asbestos exposure can result in a range of debilitating health conditions. Inhaling asbestos fibers can lead to the development of illnesses such as asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma cancer. The latter form of cancer is an aggressive disease that attacks the internal lining of the lungs, abdomen, and heart. Typically taking 15 to 40 or more years to develop, most mesothelioma cases are unfortunately diagnosed in late stages of development.

Some commonly used materials that are likely to contain asbestos include insulation, roofing, flooring, siding, cement sheeting, and many others. Asbestos cement sheeting, usually found in roofing materials or wall cladding, can become a very dangerous product during a fire. If heated, the water content within the sheeting can cause the material to explode, releasing asbestos fibers into the air and expose surrounding areas.

As fires expose asbestos-containing materials in a building, strong drafts can pick up asbestos fibers and shoot them into the air, where they can travel and remain suspended for days. During the Southern California fires in Fall 2007, the presence of asbestos and other hazardous materials complicated the cleanup significantly. Asbestos-containing materials require extremely careful handling and disposal to avoid dangerous exposures, and many residents and cleanup volunteers do not have the knowledge or equipment to handle the problem safely.

Safety and Cleanup

Once the fire has been put out, it is recommended that the contaminated area be kept clear and wet until all asbestos-containing materials have been removed. Keeping it wet prevents the material from drying out and allowing asbestos fibers to be released. For safety measures, all nearby residents of a fire should keep all windows and doors closed to prevent exposure. The next step is to safely remove the debris.

While removing small pieces of debris, make sure to wear protective gear such as body-covering clothing, boots, gloves, and HEPA filter masks. Also, all materials being removed should be thoroughly wet to ensure fibers are not released into the air. However, removing these pieces yourself is not advised, and a licensed abatement contractor should be hired. Beyond the health risks associated with being around asbestos-containing materials, the task alone is a complicated process involving strict regulations for removal and disposal.

Firefighters

Often considered one of most dangerous occupations in the world, firefighters constantly risk their lives and health to save others. Facing common hazards such as carbon monoxide poisoning, smoke inhalation, and collapsing buildings, firefighters are also exposed to toxic materials such as lead and arsenic. But exposure to asbestos may be the most dangerous of such commonly encountered toxic substances.

In most cases, wearing a “self-contained breathing apparatus” while fighting fires prevents asbestos inhalation. However, firefighters often remove their respiratory protection during the second principal phase of firefighting, known as the "overhaul stage." This is when the fire is mostly controlled and personnel search through the debris. The overhaul stage represents a large part of asbestos exposure for firefighters. To minimize the risk of exposure, firefighters should always wear respiratory protection during overhaul, even if the fire has been extinguished.

Despite the Environmental Protection Agency’s attempts to fully ban asbestos in 1989, most uses of asbestos are still legally allowed (though in smaller quantities than before). A ruling by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the ban in 1991, which prevented all but six asbestos products from being banned. The EPA reports the following asbestos-containing materials are not subject to the 1989 ban: asbestos-cement corrugated sheet, asbestos-cement flat sheet, asbestos clothing, pipeline wrap, roofing felt, vinyl-asbestos floor tile, asbestos-cement shingle, millboard, asbestos-cement pipe, automatic transmission components, clutch facings, friction materials, disc brake pads, drum brake linings, brake blocks, gaskets, non-roofing coatings, and roof coatings.

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