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Background
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) provides
the following interim guidelines for preventing injury and illness among
clean-up workers in the response to hurricanes. The large amounts of
debris caused by hurricanes can lead to an extended clean-up involving
many methods of debris disposal. Clean-up workers who may be less familiar
with fire safety than are firefighters may use burning as a method of
debris disposal. These interim recommendations are based on current knowledge
as of October 10, 2005; as additional information becomes available,
the recommendations will be updated and revised as appropriate.
Burning Hurricane Debris
Various federal, state, and local regulations may apply to the handling
and disposal of hurricane debris; specifically, the burning of debris
may be banned in certain areas by state or local fire officials.
From environmental
and public health perspectives, burning generally is no longer an acceptable
disposal method due to potential adverse health effects and safety concerns
of the smoke and fire and the need to protect air quality. However, in
disaster situations with large amounts of debris, burning may be allowed.
If this method of debris removal is allowed, it must be done in accordance
with all local, state, and federal regulations and emergency orders,
and it must be done under the supervision of trained officials or their
designees.
Potential Health and Safety Issues related to Burning Hurricane Debris
Smoke Inhalation
Smoke is made up of carbon dioxide, water vapor, carbon monoxide, fine
particulate matter, hydrocarbons and other organics, and a variety
of other substances. Many types of toxic substances may be present
in smoke and may increase with the burning of specific hazardous materials
such as lead paint, weatherized (treated) lumber that may contain arsenic
or chromate, insulation (including asbestos and fibrous materials),
particle board, asphalt (roofing materials), household trash, used
tires, rubber, plastics, vinyl materials, and foam padding (mattresses,
furniture).
The health effects of smoke inhalation can range from irritation of
the eyes and respiratory tract to more serious disorders including acute
and chronic lung disorders. The potential for health problems related
to exposure to toxic substances in smoke will depend on the type of material
being burned, concentrations of substances in the smoke, the duration
of exposure, preexisting medical conditions, and individual susceptibility.
The elderly, people with preexisting illnesses such as heart or lung
conditions, smokers, and children may be more sensitive to the effects
of smoke inhalation. Information concerning smoke from large fires, including
more information on sensitive populations, is available at: http://www.deq.state.mt.us/FireUpdates/WildfireSmokeGuide.pdf,
and http://www.bt.cdc.gov/firesafety/wildfires/index.asp.
Heat Stress
Heat-induced occupational illnesses and injuries can occur with excessive
exposure to a hot work environment including burning debris. Factors
leading to heat stress include high temperature and humidity, direct
heat, extreme exertion, and inadequate tolerance to hot workspaces.
Heat stress occurs when the body is unable to cool itself by sweating.
Heat stress may be accompanied by transient heat fatigue, heat rash,
fainting, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Information
on the occurrence and prevention of heat stress is available at http://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3154.pdf and http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/heatstress/.
Fire-related Injuries
Severe burns can also occur as a direct result of incidental contact
with hot surfaces and flames. Many organizations have guidelines available
concerning issues related to fire safety. The following Web sites offer
practical safety guidelines to professional firefighters as well as
to others who may be participating in the burning of debris: http://www.dfr.state.nc.us/fire_control/fire_debrisburning.htm http://www.fws.gov/policy/241fw7.html.
Guidance to help prevent health effects related to the burning of hurricane
debris:
- Plan the burn to minimize impact.
- Coordinate the burn with local officials, such as the local fire department or other designated authorities.
- Provide public warning that notes when and where the burn will occur, and warn individuals with respiratory problems to avoid exposure.
- Provide constant on-site supervision of the fire during the burn.
- Check local weather forecasts to select optimal burn conditions. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Weather Service Web site at http://www.srh.noaa.gov/ provides accurate, up-to-date weather forecasts.
- Avoid respiratory and dermal exposure to the smoke from the fire.
- stay upwind
from the smoke.
- spend time indoors (some buildings may provide insufficient
protection due to ventilation, infiltration rates, and leakage).
- Heat stress is a significant potential hazard that must be controlled.
- Establish a regimen of work and rest for workers.
- Consider the use of coolant vests.
- Provide shower facilities.
- Use
respiratory protection, as appropriate.
- Consult with persons experienced with occupational respiratory protection and familiar with the variety of substances that may be present in the smoke to determine the appropriate level of respiratory protection. Particulate-filtering respirators can effectively remove dust from inhaled air but not gases or vapors; thus, particulate-filtering respirators are not effective for protection against all the products of fire.
- Firefighters and other trained emergency responders should use
a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) when concentrations
of hazardous substances are immediately dangerous to life or health
(IDLH), or when an oxygen-deficient environment exists (less than
19.5% oxygen).
- Information concerning different types of respiratory protection and appropriate uses is available from the NIOSH Web site at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/topics/respirators/default.html and from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Web site at http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/respiratory/index.html.
- Use
other personal protective equipment, as appropriate:
- Wear goggles to protect the eyes from smoke. Guidance on eye
protection is available from NIOSH at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/eyesafe.html.
- Use insulated and padded work gloves that are fire retardant when handling hot and sharp debris.
- Use fire-retardant protective clothing, footwear, and headgear when appropriate.
- A good faith effort should be made to avoid burning the following debris:
- - automotive/marine batteries; pesticide cans; explosives; automotive oils; fuels and fluids; solvents; paint thinners and stripper; compressed gas containers; household white goods (e.g. refrigerators, washer-dryers, and stoves); asbestos-containing materials (asbestos shingles, siding, and insulation); PCBs (electrical equipment such as distribution transformers and capacitors); electronics (televisions, radios, stereos, cameras, VCRs, computers, microwaves); tires; shingles; domestic garbage; and preserved woods.
- Alternative disposal options should be used for these types of
debris. Information on what to do with disaster debris can be
found at: http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/muncpl/debris.htm.
- Examples of debris that may be burned (if allowed by local, state, and federal authorities) include the following:
- natural vegetation such as tree limbs, stumps, and leaves
- wood shavings and wood chips.
- furniture
- clothing
- cardboard boxes
- - construction and demolition debris such as nontreated lumber (see exemptions listed previously)
- Cleanup of burned debris
- Other sources of information pertaining to safe practices of handling debris include the following:
- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides information
on disaster preparation and prevention. Through the FEMA Web site,
users can access a whole disaster debris planning program, which
includes a Debris Management Guide and a Debris Management Training
Course.
- The Alameda
County, California, Disaster Waste Management Plan presents a coordinated disaster debris management
approach to help areas afflicted with a disaster situation achieve
maximum diversion from landfilling.
- The California
Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) Disaster Information
and Preparedness Plan provides
guidance to assist in the expeditious recovery of areas affected by
natural disasters or emergencies while providing for the protection
of public health and safety. CIWMB will form partnerships with local
jurisdictions in the development of debris management plans to recycle,
reuse, or otherwise divert disaster debris from disposal.
- The Volusia County,
Florida, 2001 Disaster Preparedness Guide provides information on preparing for,
and recovering from, disaster situations.
- The Louisiana
Office of Emergency Preparedness Sample Debris Management Plan outlines a strategy
to facilitate and coordinate the removal, collection, and disposal
of debris following a disaster.
- EPA's Planning for Disaster Debris
External Link: http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/index.htm
This details how several communities
managed waste after natural disasters. It includes case studies from
the Northridge earthquake that occurred near Los Angeles, California;
floods in Lincoln County, Missouri; and the devastation from hurricanes
Andrew, Hugo, and Iniki in the Southeastern United States.
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Disaster Safety
Related Resources:
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