Frequently Asked Questions
Improperly disposal of flares and smoke signals can cause health hazards, fires, contaminated water, soil & plants and false distress signals.
Health Hazard
A health hazard caused by a chemical in flares called perchlorate can result in perchlorate toxicity which effects the function of the thyroid gland. Perchlorate toxicity can interfere with iodide uptake into the thyroid glands and may develop a decreased production and secretion of thyroid hormones. Thyroid hormones have a principal role in regulating metabolism and are critical for normal growth and development in fetuses, infants and young children.
“Technical Fact Sheet - Perchlorate.” EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, 29 Dec. 2017, www.epa.gov/fedfac/technical-fact-sheet-perchlorate.
“Public Health Statement for Perchlorates.” Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry, www.atsdr.cdc.gov/phs/phs.asp?id=892&tid=181.
“Perchlorate: Your Environment, Your Health | National Library of Medicine.” U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, toxtown.nlm.nih.gov/chemicals-and-contaminants/perchlorate.
Fire
Fires can occur when flares are mishandled, inaccurately discharged or improperly positioned.
“Guide to Wildland Fire Origin and Cause Determination.” National Wildfire Coordinating Group, www.nwcg.gov/sites/default/files/publications/pms412.pdf.
Water, Soil and Plants Contamination
High concentrations of perchlorate have been found in water, soil and plants. Human exposure to perchlorate can occur from drinking contaminated water, eating contaminated foods and inhalation or ingestion.
Steinmaus, Craig M. “Perchlorate in Water Supplies: Sources, Exposures, and Health Effects.” Current Environmental Health Reports, U.S. National Library of Medicine, June 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4834222/.
False Distress Signal
U.S. Code Title 14, section 88, statute (c) provides that an individual who knowingly and willfully communicates a false distress message to the Coast Guard or causes the Coast Guard to attempt to save lives and property when no help is needed is guilty of a Class D federal felony.
Penalties for issuing a false distress call:
6 years in prison
$250,000 criminal fine
$5,000 civil fine
U.S. Coast Guard reimbursement for the cost of performing the search
“US Code Title 14 Section 88.” TRAC, trac.syr.edu/laws/14/14USC00088.html.
“Search and Rescue Is NO JOKE!” United States Coast Guard U.S. Department Of Homeland Security, www.dco.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Assistant-Commandant-for-Response-Policy-CG-5R/Office-of-Incident-Management-Preparedness-CG-5RI/US-Coast-Guard-Office-of-Search-and-Rescue-CG-SAR/Search-and-Rescue-is-NO-JOKE/.
Our highly trained specialists will conveniently pickup and safely transport your flares and smoke signals to our disposal facility for environmentally friendly incineration. Price of pickup and disposal is based on weight. Call 833-352-7386 or email team@flareandsignaldisposal.com today for pricing and to schedule pickup.