Tips On Avoiding Health Hazards After The Flooding
Release Date: July 7, 2008
Release Number: 1763-070
» More Information on Iowa Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
DES MOINES, Iowa -- When floodwaters recede, hazards continue to threaten you and your family.
The Iowa Department of Public Health has many helpful tips on its website www.idph.state.ia.us/adper/flood.asp as does the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at www.fema.gov.
Major health hazards after a disaster include carbon monoxide poisoning from generators used to power homes or clean-up equipment, electrocution from stepping into water charged by live electric wires, infections to cuts or scrapes that come into contact with surfaces contaminated by floodwaters, heat-related illnesses and worsening of chronic illness from overexertion.
Food Safety
Because floodwater is heavily polluted, many food products and food preparation items need to be discarded.
Food in cans that are either rusty, bent, bulging or leaky should be discarded. So should food in jars with screw-top or crimped lids. The same goes for any canisters or containers made from paper, cardboard, plastic, cloth or fiber. All fresh vegetables and fruits and fresh meat, fish or poultry that has been in contact with flood water must be discarded.
Containers or utensils made from porous materials will need to be discarded. This includes plastic baby bottles, nipples and pacifiers, plastic storage containers, plastic silverware and paper, foam or plastic dishes. Wooden bowls, cutting boards, spoons and other utensils need to be discarded.
Cans and bottles with no heat or water damage, and no dents, bulging or rust, can be disinfected. Labels should be removed because the paper traps bacteria. Write the contents on the can with a permanent marker. The cans should then be cleaned as prescribed below.
Clean and Disinfect
Countertops, glass and china dishes, metal and glass cookware, glass baby bottles and empty canning jars can be saved if you follow three simple steps. First, remove all debris. Next, clean the items with a strong dish detergent solution.
Finally, disinfect the items in a bleach solution. For dishes, cookware and canned goods, use one tablespoon of household bleach to one gallon of clean water. For countertops, a slightly milder bleach solution of one teaspoon of household bleach per gallon could be used. Do not use bleach with an added scent (like lemon). Do not rinse. Let items air dry. Never mix bleach with ammonia or another cleaner. Open windows to get fresh air.
If you come into contact with flood water, the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) advises citizens to wash thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. An alcohol-based hand cleaner could be used if clean water is not available. Any cuts or scrapes must receive first aid immediately. Clean and disinfect the area and cover the wound.
Inside Air
Check your heating, ventilating and air conditioning system for mold. This may need a professional inspector. Systems should be checked before turning on to avoid blowing mold into all parts of your home. Throw away wet or water-damaged filters.
When cleaning inside the home, a disposable dust mask will keep out nuisance dust, but consider a specialized mask with changeable filters to filter mold spores, asbestos, lead or other contaminants. Rubber gloves and rubber boots could, literally, be a lifesaver when working around floodwaters.
Tetanus Shots & Diseases
According to IDPH Deputy Medical Director Dr. Kenneth Soyemi, there is "generally no need for mass tetanus immunizations during a flood." Individuals are advised to receive a routine tetanus booster dose every ten years. People who are cut or injured and have not received, or unsure if they have received, a tetanus vaccine within the past five years should receive a booster dose of the vaccine.
"Outbreaks of communicable diseases after floods are rare," says IDPH Director Tom Newton. "Increases in infectious diseases that were not present in a community before the flood are usually not a problem after a flood." IDPH and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention performed a statewide public health assessment after the 1993 Iowa floods. It was determined there were no outbreaks of diarrhea disease or waterborne illness related to the flooding.
Wells and Septic Systems
If you suspect your private well has been compromised by floodwaters, the IDPH strongly advises that you stop using that well water for drinking, cooking, laundry or bathing. Do not boil that water either, as that will concentrate any chemicals that may be in the water. Use only water known to be safe, such as bottled water. After the floodwaters have gone, you will need to shock-chlorinate your well with bleach, then have it tested two days after chlorination by a professional laboratory before using the water. Information on shock-chlorination is available at www.emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/pdf/wellsdisinfect.pdf.
FEMA aid may be available to cover the cost of treating or repairing wells and septic systems for those who have registered with FEMA. People who have coverage from a flood insurance policy are urged to register also, since flood insurance does not cover wells and septic systems. Residents of counties designated as part of the disaster can register by calling FEMAs toll-free registration line at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for those with speech or hearing impairments. The phone lines are open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week. Residents can also register by going online anytime at www.fema.gov.
Hazardous Containers
Car batteries that have been in or remain in flood water can be hazardous if they still contain an electrical charge. Avoid any acid that may have spilled from the battery. Paint cans also deteriorate quickly in floodwater. Be cautious when moving them to avoid rupturing the can.
Police or fire departments should be contacted when propane tanks are discovered. Whether they are from a house or from a gas grill, they are a major danger for fire or explosion. Tanks of welding gases, gas cans and other fuel tanks have been found scattered far from their place of origin. Notify local officials for their safe removal.
Household hazardous waste, stranded containers (cylinders, drums and tanks), large appliances and electronic devises also present a health hazard. Through July 5, EPA has collected 100,703 of these items from either from flood waters or curbside pickups. Anyone finding or sighting an orphan tank or drum should be aware that it can be potentially dangerous, and should call the Iowa Department of Natural Resources hotline at 515-281-8694 for proper disposal.
FEMA coordinates the federal governments role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
Last Modified: Monday, 07-Jul-2008 18:55:09