as appropriate personal protection for workers and wetting debris to minimize exposures. In some situations, covering openly exposed asbes - tos materials or applying materials to minimize airborne releases may need to be considered. Naturally Occurring Asbestos Naturally occurring asbestos is found in rock forma - tions or soil in some areas of the country. The US Geological Survey (USGS) has reported naturally occurring asbestos in 35 states. 50 Both naturally occurring asbestos and manufactured prod - ucts present similar health risks when fibers are released into the air. Knowing that areas impacted by wildfires might have naturally occurring asbes - tos is helpful in not only how you might address debris and ash removal, but also sampling proto - cols afterwards with a need to temper expecta- tions for clean-up levels. The main focus should be on taking due precautions when the potential for exposure exists from naturally occurring asbestos. Cleanup Posting Once these locations are remediated and the haz - ardous waste removed, the location is posted as such and information uploaded into collector apps for residents to see their property’s cleanup status online. In addition, once an area is cleared of haz - ardous waste that can be separated and removed, the Phase II process can be initiated. Postings can refer homeowners to the next steps of govern- ment-involved removals and where information can be found. Standards Some private property owners may want to do their own cleanup because they feel they can do so more quickly than a government-run program or for other reasons. Standards that are comparable to govern- ment programs must be established and staff avail - able to review necessary plans. 51 Exemptions There are situations where a home is okay, but burned debris on the property is from a fence, non-structural debris, or a non-occupied structure. In those cases, local, state, or federal coordinating agencies should consider processes for exemptions to be granted for Phase II government run opera - tions. In some cases, property owners may choose not to clean up their property or take part in govern -
ment run operations. Local entities should review whether existing ordinances exist to enforce and abate such properties, perhaps through nuisance abatement processes. Cost recovery for such prop - erties may also be a consideration and placement of liens a common tool. Soil Sampling Sampling and soil testing following completion of Phase II removals may be warranted. When private homes burn, the toxic outcomes are very different from the burning of wildlands or forests. Burning plastics, household appliances, electrical equipment, household hazardous waste, paints, pesticides, and automotive fluids may be released and deposited. Heavy metals have been found in wildfire debris as have a variety of hydrocarbons. 52 Environmental public health and local hazardous materials/waste programs familiar with the geol - ogy and soils in the area might be asked to provide feedback as to “how clean is clean” and determine (with their local health officer) constituents of con - cern. 53 Once debris and ash are removed from the home location, vendors may sample and test soils for key contaminants of concern. Typically, these are heavy metals and include the more toxic metals such as arsenic, lead, chromium, mercury, nickel, and sele - nium. Typically, crews brought in to remove ash and debris (after hazardous waste is removed) will scrape a certain quantity of soil from the ash foot - print (for example 3-6 inches). When this is com - pleted, soil sampling will be conducted and tested to ensure the levels are consistent with background levels of similar soils on the property. 54 The metals tested, the levels considered adequate and safe, and clearance following this process is typically overseen by environmental public health staff. An alternative approach is to remove larger amounts of soil to avoid continuous sampling. Sample Messaging • Declaration of a Local Health Emergency 2015 Calaveras County • Declaration of a Local Health Emergency 2020 Fresno County • Proclamation of a Local Health Emergency 2017 Napa County • Household Hazardous Waste Assessment and Removal Fact Sheet, 2018 LA County Fire
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