12 0802 smoke impact presentation (state farm)
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Evaluating Wildfire Smoke Impact
Presented by:Michelle Rosales, MPH, CIH
August 3, 2012
• Forensic AnalyticalEnvironmental Health Consultants
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Who am I?
Michelle Rosales, MPH, CIHSenior Project Manager at Forensic Analytical Consulting Services
Environmental Health Consulting Agency
Masters of Public Health at UCLA
Certified Industrial Hygienist
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Agenda
Background
Smoke Impact AssessmentBackground Information
Visual Investigation
Sampling & Analysis
Conclusions & Recommendations
Unethical/Fraud Issues
Litigation
Questions
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Two types of claimActual fire in the residence in claim
Thermal Shock/Heat damageBurning of plastics and other materials that will produce toxins and or caustic ashDamaged materialsHeavy OdorsMore black carbon, dark colored particulate
Impact from nearby fires (e.g. wildfires)Minimal or no thermal damageBurning of mostly bio / wood materialTypically not as great potential to be causticMost cases, minimal odors if any (dependant on proximity and infiltration)More char / carbonized material, dark, grey or white
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Components of Wildfire Smoke
Contaminants of wildfire smoke can include:
carbon monoxidehydrocarbonspolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons [PAH] (e.g. benzo[a]pyrene)nitrogen oxidesvolatile oxygenated organic compoundsacidsketonesalcoholsaldehydes (e.g. acrolein and formaldehyde)
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Definitions (Smoke Related Particulates)
Combustion By-Products: Solid, liquid, and gaseous products of combustion
Smoke: Solid, liquid, and gaseous products of combustion released into the air
Soot (aka Black Carbon): Unwanted combustion product. Opaque/black particles of mostly carbon. Also may consist of ash, organic materials, metals, etc.Ash: Inorganic (e.g. minerals) material from combustion (can be part of soot) or a high carbon containing particulate that does not maintain its original form.Char / Carbonized Material: Particles of partially burned material retaining some of it’s original form
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Smoke Impact Assessment
Gather background information regarding the subject property (distance from fire, date of loss, etc…)Visual Assessment
PathwaysOdors Observed (Cigarette? Wildfire?)Presence/Absence of Macroscopic Fire Related DebrisLevel and Color of Dust Deposition on SurfacesOther Sources of Combustion By-Products
Collect samples as needed from representative areasAnalysis: Composition of the settled dust
Make recommendations based on observations, background information and data
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Background Information
Name of Fires in Area
Distance to Fire Perimeter
Predominant Wind Direction
Building HistoryReported Impact
Cleaning to Date
For Insurance: What is included in claim?
• Information provided via interview with homeowner or claims adjustor
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Visual Inspection –Tools of the Trade (FACS)
FlashlightCameraPaperwork Sampling Equipment
Bulk sampling materials (bags)Alcohol wipes or swabsTape SlidesMicro-vacuum samples (pump)
Ladder (for attic, or roof areas)N95 Mask (for attic)Gloves
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Visual Inspection
Staining indicative of smoke infiltration
Corrosion
Smoke related particulates (i.e. ash)
Pathways
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Visual Inspection – Physical Impact
StainingPigmentation by soot particles
Smoke ParticulateCorrosion
Soot/ash can be corrosiveDependant on fuel sourceBurned plastic (PVC) leads to HCL and then can corrode metalWildfire ash typically not very corrosive but can be (smoke can contain organic acids)
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Visual Inspection – Physical Impact
Soot is attracted to cooler surfaces
thermophoresis, a process in which particles migrate under the influence of forces created by temperature and moisture.
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Visual – Smoke Related Particulates
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Additional Combustion Sources
Interior SourcesBurning candles
Gas stoves
Fireplaces
Smoking devices
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Exterior SourcesExternal heaters
Barbeques
Fire pits
Smoking devices
Additional Combustion Sources
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Wipe Test?
Dry (chemical) sponge wiped upon surface
Dark coloration on sponge indicative of soot? Other particles unrelated to combustion are dark.
Smoke and soot deposits could be black, brown, gray, white or clear.
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SamplingWhat is the objective of the sampling?
Scientific Method:Choose Hypothesis
Is there potential smoke residue on the wall surface in residence?
Test Hypothesis
Sample methods (surface)Tape Samples
Wipe / Swab Samples
Bulk Samples
Micro-vacuum Samples
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Sample Collection: Where?In general:
areas of dust accumulation and/or physical damage,
areas of concern,
representative areas– Flooring/Thresholds/Baseboards– Contents/Furnishings/Fixtures– Wall/Ceilings– Window Sills/Sliders– Attic (near to vents if possible)– Exterior surfaces– HVAC
Supply and return side
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Laboratory Analysis
Stereomicroscopy
Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM)
Scanned Electron Microscopy (SEM)
Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM)
Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrscopy (FTIR)
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Making Conclusions
No standards or exposure limits exist specifically for carbonaceous material or combustion product settled on surfaces. In this case, these particle types are used as indicators of potential deposition of smoke related particles and may be representative of the contaminants (e.g. metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, etc.) that may be associated with them (though this representation is not well studied).
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Making ConclusionsFACS recommends cleaning/restoration in cases of
Visible smoke impact (e.g. macroscopic debris, staining, and/or corrosion)
Observable smoke odor
Sample analysis that indicates
“Uncommon” (>10%) prevalence of combustion products; or
In cases where sample results indicated “less common” prevalence of combustion products (1-10%), cleaning may be recommended depending on other assessment factors.
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Combustion Products
% of Combustion Product (Char+Ash+Soot)
Prevalence on Typical Surfaces
> 10% (Major)
Uncommon - Indicative of an unusual percentage of the dust composition (but may or may not contribute to corrosion potential or environmental health risk) and likely due to a large source of combustion particles (e.g. wildfire).
1 – 10 % (Minor)
Less common (but found from time to time) - Indicative of less common percentage of the dust composition; however, can be found on surfaces from time to time due to other combustion sources (other than wildfires)
< 1% (Trace or ND) Common - Indicative of a recently cleaned surface or absence of a significant contribution to dust composition
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Composition of Dust from Combustion By-Products
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FACS Recommendations for Restoration
In general, cleaning will consist of the removal of surface dust and cleaning of staining (if applicable) using methods appropriate for the subject surface. For most surfaces, this will entail vacuuming with a HEPA filtered vacuum and damp wiping as appropriate.
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Other surfaces (e.g. exterior, carpets, attic, etc.) may require additional cleaning methods (e.g. power washing with detergent mix, steam cleaning) as determined appropriate.
Including painting of surfaces, replacement of items (e.g. insulation), etc.
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FACS Recommendations for Restoration
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Leading / Unethical Actions
Using scientific terms to scare home owners
Making health claims with no professional knowledge of environmental risk
Writing “ASH” in house dust
Cherry picking third party investigatorsCalling investigators to voice dismay with opinions
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Potential Fraudulent Actions
Planting “ash” from other sources on surfaces of claimants residence.
Colluding with cleaning company to pump up estimates
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Litigation
Lawyers On-site
Class Action Lawsuits
Appraisal Hearings
Rebuttal Letters
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