Higher concentrations of toxic metals in waterways after wildfires may be from the fire suppressant products used to fight those wildfires
Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities
** Wildfire suppressants found to contain toxic heavy metals
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Thursday, October 31, 2024
A plane drops fire retardant on a fire in the Malheur National Forest in Oregon, U.S. Department of Agriculture via Flickr ([link removed])
As several wildfires burn across the country, a new study has linked wildfire suppressants to heavy metals that could be contaminating the environment. Higher concentrations of toxic metals are often found in waterways following wildfires, but the reason for these spikes was not understood, with some scientists suspecting that the elements were naturally present in soil. A paper ([link removed]) published in the journal Environment Science & Technology Letters now suggests that the source of these toxic metals may be the fire suppressant products used to fight wildfires.
"Wildfires are associated with the release of toxic heavy metals to the environment, but until now, it was assumed that these metals came from natural sources like soil," said ([link removed]) Daniel McCurry, the study's lead author. "We now know that fire retardants may contribute to these metal releases."
Researchers tested 14 commercially-available fire suppressant products for the presence of 10 heavy metals, selected because ([link removed]) they are known toxins or are regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Of the 14 products tested, every one contained at least eight of the 10 heavy metals, and every one contained at least one heavy metal at a concentration higher than the EPA's limits for drinking water. One product was found ([link removed]) to contain one toxic metal at a concentration of 727 times the EPA's limit, and another at a concentration of 2,880 times the EPA's limit.
"As rates of aerial fire retardant application have grown, likely so too have loadings of toxic metals released into the environment from their use, a trend which may intensify if wildfire frequency and intensity continues to increase," the study's authors wrote ([link removed]) . Wildfire frequency and intensity are likely to continue to increase as human development pushes further into the wildland-urban interface, land managers remain hesitant ([link removed]) to use important tools such as prescribed fire, and climate change ([link removed]) makes unnatural wildfires ever-more catastrophic.
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** Quote of the day
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” We reject the notion that this is a zero-sum game between renewable energy buildout and habitat conservation. We can do both.”
—Jonathan Hayes, Audubon Southwest, WBUR ([link removed])
** Picture This
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@glaciernps ([link removed])
Did you know: Glacier National Park has ten species of bats!
Most often seen flying around at dawn or dusk, the bats in Glacier are all insect eaters. They snack on mosquitos, which helps keep their populations down and makes summer a little more enjoyable for the rest of us.
Bats can often be spotted near water and along forest edges, but they also can use human structures like bridges or buildings to roost. To help out your local bats, consider limiting your pesticide and herbicide use and turning off your lights at night to reduce light pollution!
These tiny mammals are important, but each species is facing threats within their environment. Celebrate bat week with us by learning more about them here: nps.gov/subjects/bats/bat-week.htm.
NPS Photo of a silver-haired bat (Lasionycteris noctivagans) climbing a tree.
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