County's public health officer advises caution

The ash created by the various October fires may contain hazardous chemicals, and San Diego County’s public health officer is urging caution when handling ash.

“The ash particle’s more than just the wood; it’s synthetic materials found in people’s homes,” said Dr. Wilma Wooten, the county’s public heath officer. “The best measure is to protect yourself from the exposure.”

Some of those materials may contain chemicals linked to cancer. The quantity and length of exposure would determine the threshold of causing cancer, and while there is no definite evidence that the ash will cause any additional cancer Wooten notes that precautionary measures will reduce exposure.

“Any ash will contain small amounts of cancer-causing chemicals, so the best measure is to try to protect yourself,” Wooten said.

That protection against exposure includes contact with skin as well as inhalation, and protective apparel should be worn during clean-up efforts. “People should wear gloves, long-sleeve shirts and long pants to avoid skin contact with the ash material,”

Wooten said. “Also, people should wear a mask.”

Wooten warned that while dust masks protect against finer particles, they must be fit-tested in order to provide optimal protection.

Wooten noted that wet cloths should be used to clean toys and countertops. Indoor and outdoor floor surfaces should be cleaned with a wet mop, and Wooten recommends spraying a mist on those surfaces prior to commencing the cleaning.

Wooten also reminded residents to wash pets and food grown on the property. Wooten noted that homegrown food includes gardens as well as fruit trees. Wooten added that parents should not let their children play in or with the ash.

Wooten also noted that vacuum cleaners should have adequate filters. “The best recommendation is to use a vacuum cleaner that has a HEPA filter,” she said.

Wooten also recommended placing ash in a plastic trash bag before discarding in garbage cans.

Although the chemicals in the ash might not be sufficient to cause cancer, other health risks also merit precautionary measures. “For those healthy individuals these materials can affect the eyes,” Wooten said.

In addition to producing tears and eye irritation, coughing and nasal congestion can be caused by exposure. The exposure can also exacerbate respiratory and heart problems for people with those conditions.

Wooten also noted that individuals may opt to let someone else clean up the debris. “If the clean-up is too extreme, people might want to get professional services,” she said.

Wooten advised property owners to coordinate with their insurance companies before contracting for those professional debris removal services.