EODY: guidance on safely cleaning up ash

The National Public Health Organization (EODY) has issued guidance on safely cleaning up ash after a wildfire, at a time when hundreds of households across various parts of the country are returning to affected homes. The organization’s core warning is that ash is not a harmless residue of burned vegetation: when a fire breaks out in or near settlements, household appliances, building materials and objects containing chemical substances burn at the same time. As a result, the residue may contain toxic substances that are inhaled or absorbed through the skin during cleanup work. The warning applies especially to the first days after a fire is put out, when residents rush to restore their homes.

The organization gives specific personal protection guidance. Children and pets should stay away from ash and burned ground. Those carrying out cleanup work are advised to wear a well-fitted mask, ideally a high-protection respiratory mask with a particle filtration rating above 95%. EODY notes that people with heart or respiratory conditions should consult their doctor before using a mask, as the breathing resistance can place extra strain on them. Protective goggles, gloves, long clothing and closed shoes are also recommended, and after finishing the work, thorough washing of the body and clothes with plenty of water and soap is required.

Particular emphasis is placed on the cleaning method. The organization recommends avoiding the use of a broom on a pole, as it stirs up particles and makes them inhalable, and instead favoring gentle sweeping with damp cloths. For indoor spaces, vacuum cleaners fitted with HEPA filters are recommended, as they trap fine particles instead of returning them to the room’s air. Filters in heating and air-conditioning systems, which may have trapped ash, should also be changed or cleaned. The organization recommends using as little water as possible, so that contaminated material is not carried into the sewage system and groundwater.

As for disposal, ash should be collected in plastic bags or suitable containers and not scattered in the environment. If anyone feels unwell during or after the work, EODY recommends seeking medical help immediately. The guidance is practically relevant these days, as civil protection teams begin on-site inspections in affected areas and residents return to their properties to record damage and clean up. No nationwide municipal collection program for the material has been announced. More health stories on the Health page.