Understanding the Hazards of Wildfire Smoke Contamination and How to Restore Your Property
By Michael A. Polkabla, CIH, REA, BioMax Environmental Inc.
The Southern California wildfires of 2025 have caused widespread devastation. Even buildings that survived the flames are now facing contamination from wildfire smoke, which has traveled far beyond burn zones. Smoke residues pose significant health risks and structural challenges, making it critical to understand the hazards and take steps to restore safety.
What Makes Wildfire Smoke Dangerous?
Wildfire smoke contains toxic particles and gases that vary depending on the materials burned. When man-made structures are involved, the smoke becomes even more hazardous.
Heavy metals such as lead and chromium are neurotoxic and released from burned paints and pipes.
Asbestos from older buildings poses respiratory risks like mesothelioma.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like benzene and formaldehyde cause respiratory irritation and long-term carcinogenic effects.
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are carcinogens released during the combustion of organic materials.
Dioxins and furans are toxic chemicals formed when chlorine-containing materials burn.
These contaminants settle as soot, char, and ash, infiltrating porous materials like wood and fabric while corroding electronics and metals.
Safety Services Management engaged in a panel discussion regarding the hazards linked to wildland fires and outlined measures to protect individuals and restore their properties.
How Wildfire Smoke Affects Health
Smoke exposure can cause immediate and long-term health issues, with fine particulate matter (PM2.5) being particularly dangerous as it penetrates deep into the respiratory system.
Respiratory problems include asthma flare-ups, bronchitis, and increased risk of COPD.
Cardiovascular issues such as heart attacks, strokes, and arrhythmias are linked to systemic inflammation caused by fine particulates.
Neurological effects include cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases from exposure to heavy metals and VOCs.
Cancer risks are elevated by chemicals like benzene, formaldehyde, and dioxins.
General symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue, and headaches are often caused by VOCs and smoke odors.
Smoke particles that settle on surfaces can extend exposure risks long after the fire is extinguished.
How Wildfire Smoke Damages Property
Wildfire smoke causes significant physical and chemical damage to buildings and materials.
Corrosion occurs as ash and soot degrade metals, electronics, and painted surfaces.
Material damage weakens wood, fabrics, and insulation.
Lingering odors from VOCs and microscopic particles persist without targeted remediation.
Soil and water contamination from ash introduces heavy metals and organic pollutants to the environment.
Steps to Restore Your Property
Proper remediation involves professional evaluation, advanced testing, and targeted cleanup to ensure safety.
Professional assessment should involve Certified Industrial Hygienists (CIHs) to analyze and identify toxins like soot, ash, and char.
Advanced testing quantifies contaminants and informs the remediation plan.
Targeted cleanup protocols remove residues, neutralize toxins, and eliminate odors to ensure safety.
Post-cleanup testing confirms that all contaminants are addressed and the property is safe to occupy.
How Safety Services Management Partners with BioMax to Help
Safety Services Management (SSM) partners with Certified Industrial Hygienists from BioMax Environmental to provide expert wildfire smoke remediation. BioMax collaborates with SSM to conduct detailed assessments and develop customized cleanup plans, while SSM ensures these protocols are effectively implemented to restore properties to safe, livable conditions. Contact SSM today to learn how we can protect your property, health, and peace of mind.
Additional Resources
Cleaning Products and Tools:
Dry Sponges Cleaners: www.example.com/dry-sponges-cleaners
Meleluca Cleaning Products: www.example.com/meleluca-products
7th Generation Cleaning Products: www.example.com/7th-generation-products
Air Filtration and Cleaners:
California Air Resources Board - Air Cleaner Info: www.ww2.arb.ca.gov/air-cleaner-information-consumers
CARB-Certified Air Cleaning Devices: www.ww2.arb.ca.gov/list-carb-certified-air-cleaning-devices
EPA Guide to Air Cleaners in the Home: www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/guide-air-cleaners-home
What is a HEPA Filter?: www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/what-hepa-filter
What is a MERV Rating?: www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/what-merv-rating
Wildfire Safety:
South Coast AQMD - Wildfire Smoke & Ash Safety Tips: www.aqmd.gov/home/air-quality/wildfire-health-info-smoke-tips
NIEHS Wildfire Response Training Tool: tools.niehs.nih.gov/wetp/index.cfm?id=2455
California Department of Public Health - N95 FAQs: www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/EPO/Pages/Wildfire%20Pages/N95-Respirators-FAQs.aspx
General Air Quality and Particulates:
AirNow.gov - How to Use the Site: www.airnow.gov/how-to-use-this-site/
Air Quality Index Basics: www.airnow.gov/aqi/
EPA - Particulate Matter Basics: www.epa.gov/pm-pollution/particulate-matter-pm-basics
Dioxins and Furans Fact Sheet: archive.epa.gov/epawaste/hazard/wastemin/web/pdf/dioxfura.pdf
Research and Academic Resources
Holder et al. (2020): Estimate of pollutant emissions from fires in the wildland-urban interface.
UCLA LOSH Resources and Support: LA Wildfires: Disaster and Emergency Response for Workers - Wildfires. www.losh.ucla.edu/la-wildfires-resources-and-support
