Ash

Ash or ashes are the solid remains of fires. Specifically, it refers to all non-aqueous, non-gaseous residues that remains after something is burned. In analytical chemistry, in order to analyse the mineral and metal content of chemical samples, ash is the non-gaseous, non-liquid residue after a complete 100% combustion.

Ashes as the end product of incomplete combustion will be mostly mineral, but usually still contain an amount of combustible organic or other oxidizable residues. The most well-known type of ash is wood ash, as a product of wood combustion in campfires, fireplaces, etc. The darker the wood ashes, the higher the content of remaining charcoal will be due to incomplete combustion.

Like soap, ash is also a disinfecting agent (alkaline).^[1] WHO recommended ash or sand as alternative to soap when soap is not available.^[2]

Specific types

• Wood ash
• Products of coal combustion
  • Bottom ash
  • Fly ash, product of coal combustion
• Cigar ash, the ash produced when a cigar is smoked
• Incinerator bottom ash, a form of ash produced in incinerators
• Vibhuti, ash used in Hindu rituals
• Ashes and dried bone fragments, or "cremains", left from cremation

See also

• Cinereous, consisting of ashes, ash-coloured or ash-like

References

1. Howard et al. 2002: Healthy Villages A guide for communities and community health workersCHAPTER 8 Personal, domestic and community hygiene. WHO. Accessed Oct. 2014. http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/hygiene/settings/hvchap8.pdf
2. WHO 2014: Water Sanitation Health. How can personal hygiene be maintained in difficult circumstances? Accessed Oct. 2014 http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/emergencies/qa/emergencies_qa17/en/