Returning to a Smoke-Damaged Property? Focus on Thorough Cleaning, Not Costly Follow-Up Sampling
After receiving a request from a homeowner evacuated due to the recent forest fire in Jasper, Alberta, who was concerned about air quality in their house, I thought I would share this information to help others in a similar situation. If your home has only suffered smoke damage (not fire), proper cleaning is key—and if done right, follow-up air quality or surface sampling may not be necessary.
The Alberta Health Services offers practical guidance on how to clean effectively, and it's often better to invest in extra cleaning than to spend money on consulting fees and analytical testing.
Here’s what you should focus on:
Why Skip Costly Follow-Up Testing?
If your cleaning is done properly, follow-up sampling to confirm air quality or surface cleanliness is typically not needed. In fact, it's more cost-effective to direct your efforts toward additional cleaning rather than paying for consulting or testing. A comprehensive cleaning plan will usually address any remaining smoke-related concerns, restoring a safe and healthy environment.
For more severe damage, certified professionals in fire and smoke damage restoration may still be necessary.
Learn more at Alberta Health website: https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Alberta/Pages/wildfire-restore-your-home.aspx
#SmokeDamage #JasperFire #FireRestoration #HomeSafety
Senior Occupational Hygienist
2 个月If that's the case, then why does the AIHA have a post wildfire impact assessment technical guide? Perhaps an impact assessment is too much for a lightly impacted residence. However, for those with strong odours, visible ash/char and other indicators, a post-remediation impact assessment can be very useful to determine the effectiveness of your cleaning activities. https://online-ams.aiha.org/amsssa/ecssashop.show_product_detail?p_product_serno=1558&p_category_id=&p_mode=detail&p_cust_id=&p_session_serno=214935563&p_trans_ty=&p_order_serno=&p_promo_cd=&p_price_cd=
Environmental/Occupational Health & Safety Consultant and CEO: Antiquity Environmental Consulting Ltd.
2 个月Excellent post. The only things I would add are : 1. Replace the furnace filter with one that has a good MERV rating. Many cheaper filters on the market do not capture fine particles that are often common in smoke from forest fires. 2. Consider use of an in situ air purifying device. Great post the Don