According to science and technology information site Phys.org, a recent study identified the best ways to clean surfaces contaminated by toxic compounds left behind after a wildfire.
The study was published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology by Elliott Gall, associate professor of mechanical and materials engineering at Portland State University in Portland, Oregon. Researchers studied how long polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are harmful chemicals found in wildfire smoke, remain in glass, cotton and air filters and how best to remove them from these surfaces.
"[PAHs] are associated with a variety of long-term adverse health consequences, including cancer, possible pregnancy complications, and lung disease," Gall told Phys.org. "So when these compounds deposit or adhere to surfaces, there are different routes of exposure that people need to be aware of. By now, most Portland residents are probably thinking about how to clean their air during a wildfire, but they may stop thinking about other routes of exposure once the air is cleaned.
The study found that PAHs can remain at high levels on surfaces for weeks after an extreme smoke event, a period during which building occupants could also be at increased health risk from the compounds.
But by washing cotton materials just once, the PAH content could be reduced by 80%. By using a commercially available window cleaner, the PAH content on the glass could be reduced by 60 to 70%.
However, since air filters cannot be cleaned, there is no choice but to throw them away and replace them after a wildfire.
"Although they may contain slightly more life, PAHs can break away from the filter over time and be re-emitted into space," Gall told Phys.org.
He added that future studies are planned to learn more about how to remove PAHs from other interior surfaces such as drywall or ceramic tiles.
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