Residual substances in soils following a fire can impede plant growth and establishment of new vegetation. Many chemical compounds are volatilized in a very hot fire and exported into the atmosphere, or recombined with other substances in both inert and toxic compounds. The cleanup of residues from structure fires should include a complete surface removal of every unnatural substance and excavation where needed. Contamination, if any, is usually confined to the area closely adjacent to the structure.
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If structures burned, is my soil contaminated from all the plastics and chemicals?
Last Updated: October 15, 2009
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