Did you know that smoke can be just as detrimental as the fire itself? Read on to study the dangers of smoke damage.
Most people think that flames are the damaging aspect of fire damage. They are oblivious of the risks brought about by smoke, even after the fire is put out. During and after a fire incident, the smoke that’s continually released poses a significant threat, not only to the property but also to anyone who inhales or gets exposed to it.
When wood or other organic matter is burned, a complex mixture of fine particles and gases is produced. That’s what we refer to as smoke, which comprises particulate matter, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide. Besides, smoke may also contain other chemicals, such as acid gases, nitrogen oxides, benzene, styrene, dioxins, aldehydes, sulfur dioxide, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, toluene, and metals.
Now that you know what smoke comprises of, let’s discuss the dangers it can pose.
Dangers of Smoke to Human Health
Even short-term smoke inhalation can cause immediate, acute effects. Smoke odor can cause nausea and exposure to smoke can irritate the throat, nose, and eyes. Exposure to heavy smoke has been linked to temporary changes in lung functioning, causing breathing problems.
The microscopic particles present in smoke can be particularly dangerous because upon exposure, they’ll make their way deep into the lungs. Too small to be seen by the naked eye, these particles are not bigger than 2.5 microns (25,400 microns = 1 inch).
From a runny nose to burning eyes to serious lung and heart diseases such as asthma, inhaled fine particles can cause a range of health problems. Shortness of breath and respiratory irritation have also been linked to exposure to fine particles.
Carbon monoxide inhalation reduces the oxygen supply in the body, resulting in conditions such as reduced alertness, headaches, and trigger angina, a severe heart condition. Exposure to either fine particles or carbon monoxide can worsen cardiovascular health during physical exertion.
People with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions, young children, fetuses, infants, and senior people are more susceptible to dangers linked to smoke.
Exposure to components of smoke may also lead to chronic health conditions. In areas with higher fine particulate air pollution, increases in mortality and cardiovascular disease have been associated with long-term exposure to ambient air containing fine particles.
Dangers of Smoke to Possessions
Apart from health, everything you have at home can be affected by smoke damage or at least by its foul odor. Furniture, carpets, hardwood floors, bedding, clothes, upholstery, curtains, porous hard surfaces, metallic surfaces, appliances, fiberglass, porcelain, and plastic can suffer significant damage from smoke. If restored on time, many of these items can be salvaged, while others might need to be replaced.
To safeguard your health and save the maximum number of possessions, you need to take quick measures. Once the firefighting team has extinguished the fire, seek a professional fire damage restoration service local to Greenville, Greer, Taylors and the Upstate of SC to eliminate the damages related to smoke and soot.
For emergency smoke damage remediation, call STOP today.
