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Protecting your health during a flood
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Harrison County's Home & Public Health office in Logan is concerned for those who reside or work in areas flooded during the weekend. A few simple precautions can help you avoid possible risks during a flood.
This information answers some of the most important questions about floods and your health.
Is my drinking
water safe?
Contaminated drinking water can be a significant health concern during a flood, but it depends on your situation.
If you use "city water," the risk of contamination is very low. City wells are generally well protected from flood water. All community water systems are also carefully monitored, by the water supply operator and the state.
If you use a private well you should assume your private well is contaminated if the well casing was submerged or the flood water came within 50 feet of the well. Water from the well should not be used for drinking or cooking until the well and the distribution system have been flushed out, disinfected, and tested for contamination.
* Use bottled water for drinking and cooking until your well is safe to use again.
* For detailed instructions on disinfecting and testing your well, contact Harrison County Environmental Health at 712-644-2302.
How can I protect
my children?
A few simple precautions will help keep your child safe.
* Don't let children play in or near flood water, or in areas that have been recently flooded.
* Wash your child's hands frequently, especially before meals.
* Disinfect toys that may have been contaminated, using a solution of two ounces of bleach in one gallon of water.
* Discard any soft toys that may have been contaminated with sewage. Young children may put these items into their mouths.
Can contact with sewage or flood water make me sick?
You should always assume that disease organisms may be present in flood water or backed-up sewage. But common sense, combined with basic hygiene, can help keep the risk low. Skin contact with flood water, by itself, does not pose a risk unless you have an opening in the skin. The fecal material in sewage contains disease organisms, but it does not pose a risk unless you take it into your mouth. Follow these tips to keep your risk low:
* Always wash your hands thoroughly after working in a contaminated area.
* Always wear rubber gloves and boots to protect your hands and feet.
* Always take a shower after working in a contaminated area.
* Always assume that anything touched by flood water is contaminated.
TETANUS SHOTS
Harrison County Home & Public Health has been giving Tetanus immunizations at the Rand Center in Missouri Valley. If you have been unable to attend call the HCH&PH office at 712-644-2220 to set up an appointment. There is no fee for the Tetanus immunization.
When can I move
back in?
Once city and county officials have determined that conditions in the area are safe you will be allowed to re-enter your home. Remember though, after a flood, there may be structural, electrical, or other hazards in your home. Before moving back in check with local authorities for any special guidance, and survey the property for hazards such as those listed below.
* Check for loose power lines and gas leaks.
* Check for obvious structural damage.
* Turn off the gas and electricity.
* Turn off fuel valves for fuel oil or propane.
What about mold?
Excess moisture and standing water contribute to the growth of mold in homes and other buildings. When returning to a home that has been flooded, be aware that mold may be present and may be a health risk to your family.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that, people at the greatest risk from mold are those with asthma, allergies, or other breathing conditions, or with suppressed immune systems.
People who are sensitive to mold may experience stuffy nose, irritated eyes, wheezing, or skin irritation. People allergic to mold may have difficulty in breathing and shortness of breath. If your family members have health problems after exposure to mold, contact your doctor or other health care provider.
Recognizing mold
You may recognize mold by:
Sight: Are the walls and ceiling discolored, or do they show signs of mold growth or water damage?)
Smell: Do you smell a bad odor, such as a musty, earthy smell or foul stench?)
Safely preventing mold growth
Clean up and dry out the building as quickly as possible, open doors and windows, and use fans to circulate air and dry out the area.
* When in doubt, take it out! Remove all porous items that have been wet for more than 48 hours and that cannot be thoroughly cleaned and dried. These items can remain a source of mold growth and should be removed from the home. Porous, non-cleanable items include carpeting and carpet padding, upholstery, wallpaper, drywall, floor and ceiling tiles, insulation material, some clothing, leather, paper, wood, and food. Removal and cleaning are important because even dead mold may cause allergic reactions in some people.
* To prevent mold growth, clean wet items and surfaces with detergent and water.
* Homeowners may want to temporarily store items outside of the home until insurance claims can be filed. See recommendations by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) .
* If you wish to disinfect, refer to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) document, A Brief Guide to Mold and Moisture in Your Home.
If there is mold growth in your home, you should clean up the mold and fix any water problem, such as leaks in roofs, walls, or plumbing. Controlling moisture in your home is the most critical factor for preventing mold growth.
To remove mold growth from hard surfaces use commercial products, soap and water, or a bleach solution of no more than 1 cup of bleach in 1 gallon of water. Use a stiff brush on rough surface materials such as concrete.
If you choose to use bleach to remove mold:
* Never mix bleach with ammonia or other household cleaners. Mixing bleach with ammonia or other cleaning products will produce dangerous, toxic fumes
* Open windows and doors to provide fresh air.
* Wear non-porous gloves and protective eye wear.
* If the area to be cleaned is more than 10 square feet, consult the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guide titled Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings. Although focused on schools and commercial buildings, this document also applies to other building types. You can get it free by calling the EPA Indoor Air Quality Information Clearinghouse at (800) 438-4318, or by going to the EPA web site at http://www.epa.gov/mold/mold_remediation.html .
* Always follow the manufacturer's instructions when using bleach or any other cleaning product.
* More information on personal safety while cleaning up after a natural disaster is available at www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/workers.asp.
If you plan to be inside the building for a while or you plan to clean up mold, you should buy an N95 mask at your local home supply store and wear it while in the building. Make certain that you follow instructions on the package for fitting the mask tightly to your face. If you go back into the building for a short time and are not cleaning up mold, you do not need to wear an N95 mask.
For more information on immunizations, call Harrison County Home & Public Health at 712-644-2220.
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©MISSOURI VALLEY TIMES - NEWS 2010
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