Iowans warned of post-flood health risks

[Guest guest]

Iowans warned of post-flood health risks

Moldova.org

http://politicom.moldova.org/stiri/eng/128952/

Experts warn Iowans affected by the recent flooding that they may be

in more danger from mold and contaminated water than they were when

rivers were surging.

Professors from the University of Iowa discussed the impact of the

disaster on physical and mental health at a news conference Friday,

the Iowa City Press-Citizen reported.

From a public health standpoint, we will be in a much more dangerous

place, Merchant, dean of the College of Public Health, said.

Wayne on, a professor of occupational and environmental

health, said that mold can continue to be a problem long after a

flood. He said that someone making a quick trip home to pick up a

few items is unlikely to be a risk, but those working in buildings

that have been flooded should wear respirators and clothing that

covers as much of their body as possible.

People with private wells were advised to have them tested.

Kathleen Staley of the University Counseling Service said that

depression may also hit in the period after a flood.

Also Friday, Gov. Chet Culver announced that more counties have been

approved for federal disaster relief, The Cedar Rapids Gazette

reported.

[Guest guest]

Every time I see those pictures of the flooded areas,

I think that this is going to be another Katrina, mold wise.

There is a town a few miles away from me that has seen

a number of floods in the last few years and I always

get semi or fully ill when I go there.. (Now I seem to be able

to go there for a while, but at one point simply going to

any destination in that area for more than a few minutes

made me ill a few hours later for days. Maybe its because there

have not been any floods there so far this year...)

A lot of people will probably get hypersensitized and may end

up having to move out of the area, if they realize what its doing it.

Many probably won't.

On Sun, Jun 22, 2008 at 7:30 PM, tigerpaw2c <tigerpaw2c@...> wrote:

> Iowans warned of post-flood health risks

> Moldova.org

> http://politicom.moldova.org/stiri/eng/128952/

>