LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL FIRE

On April 15, 2019, fire broke out in the Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral. Over 400 firefighters fought the blaze, which consumed approximately two thirds of the roof structure, including the 300-foot wooden spire. The spire ultimately crashed through the roof, bringing down with it stone, stained glass windows, and the handcrafted, vaulted oak ceiling dating back to the 13th century. The initial damage assessments for the restoration of the cathedral and many of its priceless artifacts range from $790 million to $1 billion.

The roof’s layers and spire, composed of approximately 450 tons of lead, quickly melted as the fire temperatures exceeded 1,400° F. As the smoke’s distinct yellow tinge suggested, the lead vaporized and created a toxic fallout of lead dust that was deposited across Paris.

In July of 2019, reports began to emerge that the levels of lead in areas surrounding the cathedral were 500 - 800 times the official safe level.

Although the amount of lead in this fire was unique, people don't realize that lead is commonly found in building materials and household products today. For example, in a wildfire or even a typical residential garage fire, car batteries, fishing or diving weights, ammunition, PVC, and a wide range of other lead containing items can vaporize when the heat of the fire exceeds 932 (°F). Here lead vapors are released in the form of highly toxic lead oxide fumes. This vapor then condenses into solid fume particles which are released into the atmosphere and become part of the smoke particulate. 

Lead oxide is highly soluble in body fluids. The particle size of the metal fumes range between 0.1-0.7 microns, which increases the likelihood of inhalation and deposition of the fume directly into the bloodstream. When materials containing lead vaporize, the lead-laden smoke and other byproducts combine to form toxic particulate matter in the form of ultra-fine lead dust. Molten lead or lead fumes also contain other toxic byproducts including chromium, cobalt, arsenic, cadmium, antimony, and mercury.

Even though OSHA has set a permissible exposure limit (PEL) for lead, numerous authorities state that “there is no known level of lead exposure that is considered safe"

Here is a link to a white paper that provides important details regarding lead : https://www.theredguidetorecovery.com/lead-contamination-in-structure-fires/