A recent barn fire in Aurelius (August 30th, 2012) posed an unexpected risk for firefighters involved once it was realized that hazardous materials were stored in the hay barn in addition to large amounts of hay and sawdust. Union Springs Fire Department originally dispatched several firefighters early Thursday night to stop the fire, which involved no farm animals. However, once it was gathered that chloric acid was stored within the barn, a dozen other local fire department companies dispatched volunteer firefighters to help including those from Aurora, Fleming, Skaneateles, Owasco, and Port Byron. The chloric acid is believed to have been mostly within containing ponds, but all firefighters who walked through such ponds were treated medically for decontamination. In addition, four firefighters were treated in the hospital for heat-related injuries, presumably due to the amount of time they spent in the barn due to the farm chemical complications.
While it appears that there are no serious injuries due to exposure from chloric acid, this chemical and other farm chemicals can pose serious risks to firefighters. Chloric acid is a powerful acid that can cause organics and other flammables to rapidly burn upon contact. It not only is a nasty corrosive oxidant at room temperature, but upon warming chloric acid breaks down into an unstable slew of chemicals including extremely poisonous chlorine (Cl2) and the strongly acidic and explosive perchloric acid (HClO4). Health risks of exposure to chloric acid components include respiratory problems in lung functioning. Air exposure can cause irritated eyes, nose, and throat. Touching the warmed chloric acid can cause skin irritation. If exposed to large amounts of chlorine (30ppm), one could experience vomiting, chest pain, difficulty breathing, and transient pulmonary edema. Those with pre-existing lung and heart conditions may be particularly susceptible to exposure to such chemicals. In addition, the "containing pond" may have stopped chloric acid breakdown from reaching air the firefighters were breathing, but when chlorine comes into contact with lake water, it can form chloroform, a chemical suspected to cause cancer.
Burning hay and sawdust also pose a risk that rural firefighters are exposed to frequently. Long term exposure to burning straw has been found to cause chronic lung conditions and non-stop symptoms such as asthma. Sawdust and other pressure-treated woods were treated with a form of arsenic (carcinogen, causes arrhythmia, decreases in amount of blood cells produced) before 2003, so burning of old sawdust can pose health risks for the entire community. Arsenic remains in ashes after a fire, and can contaminate water sources and even crops.
The best solution to fires like this that frequently happen in rural communities is to educate farmers about proper storage of hazardous chemicals as to reduce accidental exposure and contamination of resources due to farm toxins. Firefighters should take protective measures by wearing masks and protective equipment. It is essential that communities provide funds for fire departments to provide such technological equipment. Firefighters risk their lives to save people and their belongings, and should not have to suffer longterm health consequences for their heroism. In addition, protective equipment would allow firefighters to fight fires more efficiently and fewer concerns of what chemicals and toxins they may become exposed to--this would allow fires to be put out more quickly and be beneficial to the community as a whole. Firefighters who do come to community hospitals after exposure to a barn fire that may involve toxins should be given adequate tests (of liver, lung, heart function, etc.) to assure that they will be treated sufficiently to prevent longterm problems.
References:
"Four firefighters treated while fighting barn fire in Aurelius" http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2012/08/four_firefighters_treated_whil.html
"No injuries reported in Aurelius barn fire" http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2012/08/no_injuries_reported_in_aureli.html
"Aurelius barn fire involves hazardous material, dispatchers say" http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2012/08/aurelius_barn_fire_involves_ha.html
Wisconsin Department of Health Services: "Chlorine" http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/eh/chemfs/fs/chlorine.htm
Wisconsin Department of Health Services: "Chloroform" http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/eh/chemfs/fs/chloroform.htm
"Straw burning a health hazard" http://www.gov.sk.ca/news?newsId=1e4bbe5c-bd55-4928-ba80-cba87d37f07f
"Possible Health Hazards Associated with Pressure-Treated Lumber" http://voices.yahoo.com/possible-health-hazards-associated-pressure-treated-5169363.html
