EPA, Federal Partners Warn of Potential Environmental Health Hazards

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EPA, Federal Partners Warn of Potential Environmental Health Hazards

When Returning to Homes, Businesses after Hurricane Katrina

9/14/2005 10:40:00 AM

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=53297

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National Desk, Hurricane Reporter

Contact: Eryn Witcher of EPA, 202-564-4355 / witcher.eryn@... or

Bill of DOL/OSHA, 202-693-1896 or Bill Hall of HHS, 202-690-

6344 or FEMA Newsdesk, 202-646-4600

WASHINGTON, Sept. 14 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Cleanup activities related

to returning to homes and businesses after Hurricane Katrina can

pose significant health and environmental challenges.

People may be exposed to potentially life-threatening hazards posed

by leaking natural gas lines, and carbon monoxide poisoning from

using un-vented fuel-burning equipment indoors. During a flood

cleanup, failure to remove contaminated materials and to reduce

moisture and humidity may present serious long-term health risks

from micro-organisms, such as bacteria and mold.

When citizens are authorized by local authorities to return to their

homes and businesses, federal authorities urge people to take the

following precautions:

Be Aware of Possible Combustible or Explosive Gases -- Many natural

gas and other fuel lines were broken during Hurricane Katrina and

highly explosive gas vapors may still be present in many buildings.

In addition, methane and other explosive gases may accumulate from

decaying materials.

Open all windows when entering a building. If you smell gas or hear

the sound of escaping gas:

-- Don't smoke, light matches, operate electrical switches, use

either cell or conventional telephones, or create any other source

of ignition.

-- Leave the building immediately; leaving the door open and any

windows that may already be open.

-- Notify emergency authorities. Don't return to the building until

you are told by authorities that it is safe to do so.

Avoid Carbon Monoxide Poisoning -- Carbon monoxide (CO) is a

colorless, odorless gas that is produced when any fuel is burned and

that can kill you at high levels.

-- Do not use fuel-burning devices such as gasoline-powered

generators, gasoline-powered pressure washers, camp stoves and

lanterns, or charcoal grills in homes, garages, or any other

confined space such as attics or crawl spaces, or within 10 ft. of

windows, doors or other air intakes. Opening doors and windows or

using fans will not prevent CO buildup in the home. Have vents and

chimneys checked to assure that debris does not block or impede the

exhaust from water heaters and gas furnaces.

-- If you start to feel sick, dizzy or weak while using a generator,

get to fresh air right away. The CO from generators can readily lead

to full incapacitation and death.

Avoid Problems from Mold, Bacteria and Insects -- Standing water is

a breeding ground for a wide range of micro-organisms and insects,

such as mosquitoes. Mosquitoes can spread diseases like West Nile

Virus. Micro-organisms, including bacteria and mold, can become

airborne and be inhaled. Where floodwater is highly contaminated, as

it is in many areas of the Gulf Coast, infectious disease is of

concern.

-- Remove standing water as quickly as possible.

-- Remove wet materials and discard those that cannot be thoroughly

cleaned and dried, ideally within 48 hours. While smooth, hard

surface materials such as metal and plastics can often be cleaned

effectively, virtually all building contents made of paper, cloth,

wood and other absorbent materials that have been wet for longer

than 48 hours may need to be discarded as they will likely remain a

source of mold growth.

-- Dry out the building. The heavily contaminated flood waters

resulting from Hurricane Katrina contain micro-organisms and other

contaminants that can penetrate deep into soaked, porous materials

and later be released into air or water. Completely drying out a

building that has been immersed in contaminated flood waters will

take time and may require the extensive removal of ceiling, wall,

insulation, flooring and other materials as well as, in some cases,

extensive disinfection. The growth of micro-organisms will continue

as long as materials remain wet and humidity is high. If a house or

building is not dried out properly, a musty odor, signifying growth

of micro-organisms, can remain long after the flood. When fumes are

not a concern and if electricity is available and safe, closing

windows and running a dehumidifier or window air conditioner can be

an effective way to remove moisture if the damage is moderate.

-- Reduce your exposure to air and water contaminants. Every effort

should be made to limit contact with flood water. This includes the

breathing of water vapors or mists formed from the contaminated

water; this may occur when water is pumped or sprayed.

If removing materials or furnishings already contaminated with mold

or when cleaning significant areas of mold contamination or

generally disinfecting areas soiled by flood waters, federal

authorities recommend limiting your exposure to airborne mold spores

by wearing gloves, goggles, and wearing an N-95 respirator, if

available, or a dust mask.

Avoid Problems from the Use of Cleaners, Disinfectants, and

Pesticides -- Disinfectants, sanitizers, and other pesticides can

contain toxic and potentially hazardous substances.

-- Mixing certain types of household cleaners and disinfectants can

produce toxic fumes and result in injury and even death. Do not mix

them or use them in combination.

-- Read and follow all label instructions carefully.

-- Provide fresh air by opening windows and doors. Remain in a room

no longer than necessary. Allow adequate time for the area to air

out.

-- If there is no standing water in the building and it is safe to

use electricity, use fans both during and after the use of

disinfecting, cleaning, and sanitizing products. Be sure that before

using any electrical appliances, that they are properly grounded,

and where possible, connected to a ground break equipped electrical

source.

-- Keep all household products locked, out of sight and out of reach

of children. Use child-resistant packaging properly by closing the

container securely after each use. Keep items in original

containers. Call 1-800-222-1222 immediately in case of poisoning.

EPA Urges Avoiding Problems from Airborne Asbestos and Lead Dust --

Elevated concentrations of airborne asbestos can occur if asbestos-

containing materials present in many older homes are disturbed. Pipe

or other insulation, ceiling tiles, exterior siding, roof shingles

and sprayed on-soundproofing are just some of the materials found in

older buildings that may contain asbestos. Buildings constructed

before 1970 are more likely to contain asbestos. Airborne asbestos

can cause lung cancer and mesothelioma, a cancer of the chest and

abdominal linings. Lead is a highly toxic metal which produces a

range of adverse health effects, particularly in young children.

Many homes built before 1978 may contain lead-based paint.

Disturbance or removal of materials containing lead-based paint may

result in elevated concentrations of lead dust in the air.

-- If you know or suspect that your home contains asbestos or lead-

based paint and any of these materials have been damaged or will

otherwise be disturbed during cleanup, seek the assistance of public

health authorities and try to obtain help from specially trained

contractors, if available.

-- If possible, removed materials should be handled while still wet

or damp, double bagged and properly labeled as to contents.

-- In handling materials that are believed to be contaminated with

asbestos or lead, EPA recommends that, at a minimum, you wear

gloves, goggles, and most importantly, OSHA-approved respiratory

protection, if available.

-- While still wearing a mask, wash hands and clothing after

handling such materials.

-- If at all possible, avoid activities that will generate dust,

such as sweeping or vacuuming debris that may contain asbestos or

lead.

-- Take precautions before your contractor or you begin remodeling

or renovations that disturb surfaces that may contain lead-based

paint (such as scraping off paint or tearing out walls):

-- Have the area tested for lead-based paint.

-- Do not use a belt-sander, propane torch, heat gun, dry scraper,

or dry sandpaper to remove lead-based paint. These actions create

large amounts of lead dust and potentially harmful fumes.

-- Temporarily move your family (especially children and pregnant

women) out of the apartment or house until the work is done and the

area is properly cleaned. If you can't move your family, at least

completely seal off the work area.

Properly Dispose of Waste -- Caution must be exercised to assure

that all waste materials are removed and disposed of properly. Open

burning of materials by individuals should be avoided. Improperly

controlled burning of materials not only represents significant fire

hazards but can also produce additional hazards from the vapors,

smoke, and residue that are produced from the burning.

For those who have access to the internet, here are links to

additional information:

-- For more detailed information and guidance on mold prevention and

cleanup, visit: http://www.epa.gov/mold or call IAQINFO at 800-438-

4318.

-- EPA recommends that those dealing with extensive flood damage

obtain and follow the detailed guidance in the American Red

Cross/FEMA publications Repairing Your Flooded Home:

http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/ 0,1082,0_570_,00.html

-- For more information on safe management of asbestos, visit:

http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/ashome.html

-- For more information on safe management of lead-based paint,

visit: http://www.epa.gov/oppt/lead/

-- Federal Emergency Management Agency's Flood website -

http://www.fema.gov/hazards/floods/

-- CDC Hurricanes Health and Safety:

http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/

-- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health -- Storm

and Flood Cleanup http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/flood/

-- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Centers for

Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Emergency Preparedness and

Response web page, " Protect Yourself from Mold " -

http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/mold/protect.asp

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