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Dangers of Soot Pollution

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Soot is generated from a variety of sources including residual damage left behind in the aftermath of a house fire.

While there are protective measures in place to minimize soot pollution in the outdoor environment, it can still present a challenge to eliminate completely from your home.

Sources of Soot

As you know, when cleaning up the aftermath of a fire, a big part of the cleanup revolves around soot removal. What you may not know is that soot comes from things other than fires.

Soot, also known as particle pollution, is the result of incomplete combustion of hydrocarbons or fossil fuels. The main component of soot is black carbon.

Power plants, smokestacks, oil refineries, wood stoves, fireplaces, vehicle exhaust, and diesel truck exhaust all produce soot. Soot deposited on roads can become airborne in drought conditions and make their way to nearby parks and homes.

The Dangers of Soot

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies soot as an environmental contaminant.

The tiny particles that form soot can be inhaled, ingested, or absorbed through the skin and eyes. From there, the particles can settle deeply into your lungs.

Soot causes health issues related to the heart, lung, and triggers asthma attacks. Soot pollution is especially dangerous for the elderly, very young and those with immune system issues.

Ingesting soot pollution increases free radicals, which are unstable molecules in your body. When free radical levels increase, it causes damage to your healthy cells. Once healthy cells are attacked by free radicals, they become unstable and begin producing additional free radicals in your body. Too many free radicals eventually cause oxidative stress, which leads to accelerated aging and disease.

Minimizing Soot Pollution

Fire damage and insufficient ventilation while using gas stoves, wood burning stoves, and fireplaces are the primary causes of soot pollution in the home.

The problem is that soot is comprised of very small particles, which cannot be seen by the naked eye. These particles can become airborne, get sucked into your HVAC system and distributed throughout your home.

If you notice the smell of burnt ash or a smoky smell that doesn’t seem to go away, it’s possible that you have soot contamination in your home.

Because airborne soot settles on hard surfaces throughout your home, including walls and ceilings, it can be extremely challenging to remove.

While you believe you’ve thoroughly cleaned up all that black, dusty soot, it’s best to call in the professionals for a safe, complete cleanup of the soot you cannot see.

Conclusion

While soot pollution is all around us, there are ways to remove residential soot contamination for improved, healthier air quality.

For thorough inspection and clean-up of soot contamination in your home, contact the professionals at RCS in Santa Rosa.

Fire Restoration Santa Rosa

Fire Damage Restoration – Act to Get Smoke and Soot Out

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Fire damage caused by cooking mishaps or electrical wiring can catch anyone off guard. In addition to wreaking havoc in your home, they can char walls, cause smoke damage throughout your home, and stink up the entire place. While flames are known to cause the greatest damage to a home, soot and smoke are silent and invisible hazards that can cost you great amounts and even your life.

You may not be able to notice certain kinds of smoke, but soot is an obvious threat that you should deal with immediately. Soot, a layer of black dust, is created when oil, wood, or coal-based substances are burned. These particles can settle almost anywhere once distributed in the air. It is critical to remove soot as soon as possible as its inhalation can cause severe lung problems.

The more you delay the restoration process, the more odors and smoke soak into your furniture, walls, and the overall surroundings.

Though you may be eager to clean and repair your home after a fire, unless you seek professional help, you may be just wasting your resources or even causing further damage to your beloved property. So consult the right restoration specialists to get your home’s good looks back.

Act Right, Act Prompt

You can take a few intelligent steps to minimize further damage before hiring a professional fire damage restorer. Open all windows to ventilate your home. You can even install an electric fan to get the air moving. If there has been water damage, dry wet items. You can use dehumidifiers and fans to dry draperies and carpets. Wonder why it is important to dry carpets and floors? Well, if not properly dried, they can be permanently damaged by mildew and mold. Don’t forget to keep clean, dry items covered while restoration is in progress.

You might be thinking to use household disinfectants or deodorizing sprays to make your home free of smoke and odors. These products may not serve you well as they usually offer only temporary relief. What’s more, certain chemicals present in deodorizing sprays can interact with smoke molecules and create additional, disturbing odors.

Think you can’t understand the ins and outs of fire damage restoration? Let the right professionals handle the job. They have the right equipment and tools to remove soot and smoke from your home. They also use “counteractants”, commonly known as additives or chemicals, to eliminate odors. These chemicals, when professionally applied to carpets, draperies, and furniture, break up smoke particles.

A great part of Sonoma County is a high hazard fire environment, so consult a professional restoration expert to get your property cleaned and repaired safely and efficiently.