Making good use of a disaster

Canadian Red Cross advertisement, Granville SkyTrain station, Vancouver, BC

Canadian Red Cross advertisement, Granville SkyTrain station, Vancouver, BC

The fires in Fort McMurray are turning out to be an even bigger disaster than anyone anticipated. And it is not the fire that is causing the biggest problems, but the toxic ash that the fires left behind.

According to a story on the CBC website ;

"The ash has a very high pH which makes it caustic and may cause both skin and respiratory irritation and burns," said Dr. Karen Grimsrud, Alberta's chief medical officer of health.

"There's also heavy metals like arsenic in these samples. As well, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, dioxins and furans have been detected at concentrations above what has been recommended for public health."

And it is into this environment that the Canadian Red Cross has launched a campaign to raise awareness about disaster preparedness. 

Given that the coastal areas of British Columbia is overdue for a big earthquake I'd have to say that the timing is pretty much perfect.