Environmental Safety Concerns for Students After a Wildfire

After a wildland-urban interface fire (also known as a wildfire or bushfire), the safety and well-being of students must remain a top priority, particularly when it comes to outdoor spaces like playgrounds and outdoor eating areas. It is common to encourage children to go outside and get some “fresh air,” but outside air can be anything but fresh during and for some time after such fires.

While the immediate danger of burning may have passed, the outdoor environment can still pose significant risks. Lingering airborne particulates and settled debris can impact both indoor and outdoor spaces, where children may be exposed. Some of these fire residues are regulated hazardous materials, while others are nuisance dusts. These can act as asthma triggers for vulnerable staff, and some may have lasting neurological effects on students. Here are several key considerations to ensure the safety of students in these outdoor areas:

1. Air Quality and Smoke Inhalation
   Wildfires release harmful pollutants that can degrade air quality for days or even weeks. Students should remain indoors or in air-filtered areas until the air quality improves. Outdoor activities, including recess and physical education, should be limited until air quality monitors indicate normal levels. Schools can rely on local air quality reports or conduct their own measurements to monitor the air quality outdoors. To reduce particulates in indoor environments, schools can temporarily limit outdoor air intake, increase HVAC filter media efficiency, schedule more frequent HVAC filter changes, and deploy HEPA-equipped air filtration systems. While air filtration is effective, the source of airborne dust is often re-entrained settled dust, so regular surface cleaning is crucial.
2. Playground Safety
   Playgrounds may still contain dangerous debris, including burned materials like metal and plastic that could pose physical hazards. Ash and soot may linger on surfaces, irritating the skin, eyes, and respiratory system. Regulated materials like lead or asbestos may have settled on playground equipment. Before allowing students to use playgrounds, school officials should thoroughly inspect and clean equipment and play surfaces to remove hazardous materials and ensure the areas are safe for use. Ongoing cleaning may be necessary due to the continued presence of loose debris, wind dispersion, and regional debris removal efforts.
3. Outdoor Eating Areas
   Outdoor eating areas may also be impacted by settled particulate matter from the fires. This debris can affect both air quality and surface cleanliness where students eat. Tables, benches, and food preparation areas should be thoroughly cleaned before use. Schools should consider moving meals indoors or setting up shaded areas with air purifiers until conditions improve.

“Smoke residues deposited by the wind onto school grounds can sometimes include regulated hazardous materials like asbestos fibers and lead-contaminated dust,” said Derrick A. Denis, Senior Vice President for Clark Seif Clark. “These same substances can infiltrate a school or building through air pathways or foot traffic. Residues left behind from these fire events can cause concerns for extended durations, as these particulates tend to persist until they are removed by cleaning.”

Clark Seif Clark, Inc. (CSC) specializes in smoke impact testing and can provide hazardous material testing for schools. Assessing both outdoor and indoor environments is an important step in recovery, helping to ensure that students can focus on their education. Even if school buildings were not directly damaged by fire, they may still be impacted by smoke and other materials that have settled on surfaces students come into contact with during the school day.

For more information on smoke residues, indoor air quality issues, and to schedule testing, schools can contact Clark Seif Clark, Inc. (CSC) at 800-807-1118. Additional services can be explored at www.csceng.com.

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

Contact via E-mail