Brush Fire Fallout & Pete 'Tip of the Day' Paloalto

When wildfires rage across communities, the immediate dangers are obvious – flames, smoke, and evacuation orders dominate the headlines. But what happens after the fires are extinguished? For pool professionals and homeowners alike, there's a hidden threat lurking in the ash and smoke residue that settles into swimming pools: toxic compounds that can't be seen, smelled, or removed with standard pool chemicals. This week's Talking Pools Podcast episode delivered some sobering truths about wildfire contamination that every pool owner needs to understand.

The Invisible Threat: What's Really in Wildfire Smoke

When wildfires burn through neighborhoods, they don't just consume trees and grass. Modern fires incinerate everything in their path – homes filled with synthetic materials, vehicles, electronics, and countless manufactured products that release a cocktail of dangerous chemicals when burned.

When wildfires burn, they release a mix of dangerous substances. The primary contaminants include particulate matter, PM2.5 and PM10, which are microscopic particles capable of penetrating deep into the lungs and the bloodstream. These particles can settle in swimming pools, clouding the water and clogging filtration systems.

— Host, Talking Pools Podcast

The contamination goes far beyond visible ash and debris. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like benzene and formaldehyde become airborne, while the incomplete combustion of organic materials creates polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) – known carcinogens that can persist in water for extended periods.

Perhaps most concerning are the heavy metals released when structures burn. Lead, cadmium, and mercury from electronics, batteries, and building materials can contaminate pool water. When PVC materials burn, they release chlorinated compounds, while organic matter breakdown contributes ammonia and nitrogen oxides to the toxic mix.

Standard Pool Treatments: What Works and What Doesn't

The good news is that some wildfire contaminants can be effectively managed with conventional pool maintenance techniques. Particulate matter and ash, while problematic for filtration systems, can typically be handled with regular backwashing, filter cleaning, and thorough vacuuming.

Volatile organic compounds respond partially to oxidation treatments. Chlorine shock or non-chlorine shock treatments using potassium monopersulfate can break down some of these harmful chemicals. For ammonia and nitrogen compounds that create irritating chloramines, the solution is familiar to most pool professionals:

When you're looking at ammonia and nitrogen oxides, these compounds can combine with chlorine to form chloramines, which can be irritating and harmful. We know how to get rid of those. Superchlorination or breakpoint, whatever you want to call it. Just don't call it shock. It tends to piss Andrea off. So, breakpoint chlorination. Hit that pool with a dose of chlorine high enough to eliminate the combined chlorine level.

— Host, Talking Pools Podcast

However, heavy metals present a different challenge entirely. Lead, mercury, and other metallic contaminants can't be filtered out by standard pool filters. Instead, chemical sequestrants must be used to bind these metals and keep them in soluble form to prevent staining and equipment damage. In severe cases, partial or complete water replacement may be the only viable solution.

The Ultimate Threat: Dioxins and Furans

Among all the contaminants that wildfires can introduce to swimming pools, none are more dangerous or persistent than dioxins and furans. These compounds form when organic materials burn alongside chlorine-containing substances, creating some of the most toxic chemicals known to science.

If radiation was the most toxic thing to man, dioxins would be the second most toxic. The EPA sets the maximum contaminant level goal for 2378-TCDD, the most toxic dioxin, at zero because no amount of it is considered safe. For enforceable limits, the EPA gives it a maximum level of 30 parts per quadrillion. That's one drop of water in an Olympic-sized pool. That would still be considered hazardous.

— Host, Talking Pools Podcast

The danger of dioxins extends beyond their immediate toxicity. These compounds are bioaccumulative, meaning they build up in fatty tissues over time, potentially causing cancer, reproductive harm, immune system damage, and developmental problems. They're also chemically stable, making them extremely resistant to breakdown.

Here's the harsh reality that every pool professional needs to understand: standard pool chemicals are completely ineffective against dioxins and furans. No amount of chlorine, algaecide, enzymes, or shock treatments will remove these toxins from contaminated water.

Advanced Treatment Options: Beyond Standard Pool Chemistry

When dealing with dioxin contamination, pool professionals need to look beyond traditional chemical treatments to advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) and specialized filtration systems.

Activated carbon filtration represents one of the most effective methods for removing dioxins from pool water. These filters work by absorbing toxic compounds onto their surface, but they require regular replacement and come with significant costs. Reverse osmosis systems can also be effective, though they're typically not practical for large pool installations.

Advanced oxidation processes offer another solution by generating hydroxyl radicals that can break down some dioxin compounds. These systems use combinations of ozone, hydrogen peroxide, and UV light to create powerful oxidizing conditions:

Advanced oxidation process is defined as those which involve the generation of hydroxyl radicals in sufficient quantity to affect water purification. As a result of the process, we get the AOP hydroxyl radical OH. We say advanced because the oxidation reactions are significantly faster than they would naturally occur otherwise.

— Host, Talking Pools Podcast

However, AOP systems require precise calibration and significant investment. They're not practical for every situation, and their effectiveness against the most persistent dioxins is still limited compared to the certainty of water replacement.

Testing and Detection: The Measurement Challenge

One of the most frustrating aspects of dealing with wildfire contamination is the inability to detect the most dangerous compounds using standard pool testing equipment. Dioxins and furans exist at concentrations measured in parts per quadrillion – levels that require sophisticated laboratory analysis using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry.

This creates a significant challenge for pool professionals trying to assess contamination levels and make informed treatment decisions. Without access to specialized testing, it's impossible to know whether treatment efforts have been successful or if water replacement is necessary.

The cost of professional dioxin testing can be substantial, but it's the only way to definitively assess contamination levels. Pool professionals working in wildfire-affected areas need to factor this testing cost into their service recommendations and help customers understand why it's necessary.

Practical Recommendations for Pool Professionals

For pool professionals dealing with wildfire contamination, the approach should be systematic and safety-focused. Start with what can be effectively treated using standard methods: remove visible debris, address particulate matter through filtration and cleaning, and treat known contaminants like chloramines through breakpoint chlorination.

However, when structures in the area have burned – especially residential or commercial buildings containing synthetic materials – the risk of dioxin contamination becomes significant. In these cases, the safest recommendation is complete water replacement, despite the inconvenience and cost involved.

Yeah, it's inconvenient and costly, but you know what? It's better than risking long-term health issues for your customers.

— Host, Talking Pools Podcast

Be wary of products or services claiming to neutralize all wildfire contaminants without advanced chemical processes. As the podcast emphasizes, some companies may try to profit from disasters by making unrealistic claims about their products' effectiveness against persistent toxins like dioxins.

Moving Forward: Community and Recovery

The pool industry's response to wildfire contamination reflects the broader community spirit that emerges during disasters. Pool professionals across the country have shared their expertise and experiences, offering guidance to colleagues dealing with these challenging situations.

Recovery from wildfire contamination is about more than just technical solutions – it's about supporting customers through difficult decisions, providing honest assessments of risks and treatment options, and prioritizing long-term health over short-term convenience.

As climate change increases the frequency and intensity of wildfires, pool professionals need to stay informed about contamination risks and treatment options. This includes understanding the limitations of standard pool chemistry, knowing when to recommend advanced treatment or water replacement, and building relationships with laboratories that can provide specialized testing services.

The hidden dangers of wildfire contamination in swimming pools serve as a reminder that our industry's responsibilities extend far beyond maintaining clear, balanced water. We're guardians of public health, and that means being prepared to address threats that can't be seen or easily measured. By understanding these risks and responding appropriately, pool professionals can help ensure that the pools they maintain remain safe havens for recreation and relaxation, even in the aftermath of natural disasters.

Episode Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and West Coast Fire Update
• 05:30 Hidden Threats: Toxins in Wildfire Smoke and Ash
• 12:15 What Standard Pool Systems Can and Cannot Handle
• 18:45 The Dioxin Danger: Most Toxic Compounds
• 25:20 Advanced Treatment Options and AOPs
• 35:10 Interview with Pete from Coachella Valley Pools