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See what EPA is doing to help
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![Taking water samples](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508161032im_/http://www.epa.gov/hurricane/jpg/hr_070-s.jpg) |
Taking water samples
This EPA worker takes a sample from a residential backyard faucet to test for any hazardous contamination. By testing several homes in a neighborhood, scientists can obtain a representative sample to determine contamination levels in that area.
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![EPA workers prepare appliances for recycling.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508161032im_/http://www.epa.gov/hurricane/jpg/hr_022-s.jpg) |
EPA workers prepare appliances for recycling.
Owners of severely flood-damaged homes are instructed to dispose of their “white goods” (appliances like refrigerators and ovens) curbside so EPA workers can pick them up for recycling. Before that process can begin, these workers engage in the unenviable task of emptying refrigerators of rotted food that remained inside. After cleaning, workers remove Freon and other potentially hazardous chemicals to prepare the appliances for crushing and recycling.
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![Sampling hazardous waste](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508161032im_/http://www.epa.gov/hurricane/jpg/hr_046-s.jpg) |
Sampling hazardous waste
This EPA worker, wearing Level A protection gear, samples this barrel to determine its contents. If the barrel has rusted to the point of degradation, it will be placed in one of the yellow “overpack” barrels to prevent its contents from leaking.
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![EPA responder collecting water samples](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508161032im_/http://www.epa.gov/hurricane/jpg/hr_062-s.jpg) |
EPA responder collecting water samples
EPA can assess environmental threats in the air with its continuous air monitors, on the ground with its mobile sampling van, and even in the water, as these scientists are doing.
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![EPA workers inspect a school lab.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508161032im_/http://www.epa.gov/hurricane/jpg/hr_002-s.jpg) |
EPA workers inspect a school lab.
EPA inspectors look for hazardous spills in obvious places such as chemical plants and factories, but also visit sites like this high school chemistry lab to ensure no materials are creating a danger for students.
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![An EPA worker inspects a school lab.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508161032im_/http://www.epa.gov/hurricane/jpg/hr_010-s.jpg) |
An EPA worker inspects a school lab.
In addition to regular classroom waste, such as is contained in this cardboard box, EPA workers must detect and dispose of hazardous materials that may have leaked or spilled in this high school chemistry lab.
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![An EPA worker takes a soil sample to determine levels of toxicity.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508161032im_/http://www.epa.gov/hurricane/jpg/hr_007-s.jpg) |
An EPA worker takes a soil sample to determine levels of toxicity.
While this site looks like a rock pile or gravel road, it is actually the side of a road caked in dried sediment left by receding flood waters. EPA will use the sample this worker is taking to determine if any toxins are present in the sediment.
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Preparing for Level A protection
EPA responder receives assistance suiting up in Level A protection.
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ASPECT Aircraft
A partnership between EPA and the Department of Defense led to the development of equipment mounted in a small aircraft, allowing the collection of detailed chemical information from a safe distance.
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ASPECT Aircraft
A partnership between EPA and the Department of Defense led to the development of equipment mounted in a small aircraft, allowing the collection of detailed chemical information from a safe distance.
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Trace Atmospheric Gas Analyzer (TAGA) unit
In response to a disaster, EPA will use a self-contained mobile laboratory to monitor air quality. The mobile unit, named Trace Atmospheric Gas Analyzer, is capable of real-time sampling and analysis.
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Equipment in the Trace Atmospheric Gas Analyzer (TAGA) unit
In response to a disaster, EPA will use a self-contained mobile laboratory to monitor air quality. The mobile unit, named Trace Atmospheric Gas Analyzer, is capable of real-time sampling and analysis.
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![Downed power lines](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508161032im_/http://www.epa.gov/hurricane/jpg/hr_024-s.jpg) |
Downed power lines
Downed or damaged power lines like this one pose a serious danger to public safety, especially in a residential area. Debris deposited by flood waters piled at its base could be highly flammable if the power line were to fall.
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![Continuous air monitors](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508161032im_/http://www.epa.gov/hurricane/jpg/hr_037-s.jpg) |
Continuous air monitors
Following a disaster, EPA brings monitors like these to affected areas to continuously evaluate air quality. This helps EPA and other officials make decisions regarding public health and safety.
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![EPA incident command post](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508161032im_/http://www.epa.gov/hurricane/jpg/hr_043-s.jpg) |
EPA incident command post
EPA’s mobile command posts allow its representatives to monitor potential environmental threats following a natural disaster or other incident.
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![Mobile sampling van](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508161032im_/http://www.epa.gov/hurricane/jpg/hr_059-s.jpg) |
Mobile sampling van
EPA inspectors can take this van to specific disaster-affected sites to test and monitor environmental effects on air, water, and soil.
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![N-95 respirator](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508161032im_/http://www.epa.gov/hurricane/jpg/hr_032-s.jpg) |
N-95 respirator
EPA recommends this type of respirator for people cleaning out their homes or other flood-damaged areas. The N-95 respirator offers stronger protection against mold and other pathogens than regular dust masks.
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The National Decontamination Team at work.
The National Decontamination Team is part of EPA’s Office of Emergency Management. It uses state-of-the-art decontamination technologies (building fumigation, for example) to help organizations and communities recover after wide-spread contamination.
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![Non-segregated household waste](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508161032im_/http://www.epa.gov/hurricane/jpg/hr_028-s.jpg) |
Non-segregated household waste
Owners returning to flood-damaged homes face the additional hardship of throwing out many of their possessions. To expedite neighborhood cleanup, EPA requests homeowners to separate or “segregate” household waste, instead of placing items in one heterogeneous pile as is shown here.
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Staging platform for collection of hazardous waste
EPA workers use this area to prepare hazardous waste for final disposal by segregating it by type. Each white, plastic tarp provides a holding area for a different kind of waste. Once the waste is segregated and secured to avoid leaks, it is disposed of or recycled.
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![Close view of fire with environmental effects](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508161032im_/http://www.epa.gov/hurricane/jpg/hr_075s.jpg) |
Close view of fire with environmental effects
The black smoke billowing from this fire indicates that hazardous substances are fueling it in addition to the organic material. EPA monitors such fires for increased negative effects on the environment during and after an event.
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![White goods and common household chemicals prepared for pickup](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508161032im_/http://www.epa.gov/hurricane/jpg/hr_035-s.jpg) |
White goods and common household chemicals prepared for pickup
The average homeowner may not think of her house as containing hazardous materials, but substances like weed killers and some cleaners qualify as such. This homeowner follows preferred disposal protocol by segregating white goods (i.e., appliances), hazardous materials, and other items, which will expedite the final stages of the disposal process shown above.
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