Health warning: Risk increases during cleanup

[Guest guest]

Health warning: Risk increases during cleanup

June 21. 2008

Gazette Online - Solon,IA*

By Diane Heldt

The Gazette

diane.heldt@...

http://www.gazetteonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?

AID=/20080621/NEWS/828428385/1006/news

IOWA CITY — The cleanup and recovery after a flood can be more

dangerous than the flooding, with greater risk for injury and

infection as people deal with stagnant water, mold and air and water

quality problems, University of Iowa public health experts said

Friday.

As a flooding disaster like that in Eastern Iowa enters the more

protracted " stage two " — cleanup and recovery — displaced residents

and others must protect themselves as they deal with flooded homes

and businesses where bacteria and mold will be rampant, UI officials

said.

" From the public health standpoint, it's going to be a much more

dangerous phase, " Jim Merchant, dean of the UI College of Public

Health, said. " The emphasis really needs to be on protection and

effective cleanup. "

Many communities will be dealing with cleanup for weeks and months

to come because the past week's flooding was so widespread in Iowa,

Merchant said.

One concern is the potential for traumatic injury as people clean

and rebuild flood-ravaged homes and businesses. And long-term

exposure to the flood-affected areas could lead to allergy problems

or chronic lung disease if the proper protective equipment, such as

a mask, isn't used any time exposure lasts more than a few minutes,

especially in an enclosed space, UI officials said.

Allergies, wound infections and mosquito-borne diseases are all

reasonable concerns, Merchant said.

Flood-damaged buildings that are not fixed adequately could lead

to " sick building syndrome, " where people battle continuous health

problems, he said.

People working on flood cleanup should wear long shirts and pants,

work boots and safety glasses and have respiratory protection.

People with asthma or severe allergies should avoid exposure.

A possibly larger danger that may be overlooked is mental health

trauma, said Kathleen Staley, assistant director of UI Counseling

Service. Those most vulnerable to stress and depression are people

with histories of trauma or mental health problems, people who

experienced multiple or major losses in the flood and displaced

people, she said.

The University Hygienic Laboratory is testing water for public

entities and for private property owners with wells. Water quality

has been maintained in most communities and it remains a priority,

UI officials said.

[Guest guest]

well, it started out good, but than like with katrina they put any

mood disorders off on stress. I know they want to avoid panic but it

seems that most people believe mold just cant really hurt them to

much and they wont wear a mask, losts of people have this

misconseption that if they have never had a allergy to mold that they

are immune to it. I've heard this over and over again from people

that keep calling me wanting to buy my homes. I get a little

aggervated with their stupiedity when I try to explain it and they

don't get it. people just dont get that those toxins can damage the

brain. why aren't the so called experts out there being real.

sonerimes a little panic is called for if it males people take health

hazards more serious. if 48 percent of homes have mold it's going to

be even higher after more flooding. what a freaking nightmare and

this is going to come back and bite all these experts in the butt

when over 50 percent of the usa are suffering and realize the

exposure to these toxic soups was played down. of corse with the

brain damage they it may keep them stupied about whats happened to

them for a few more years. this just pisses my off to no end.

In , " tigerpaw2c " <tigerpaw2c@...> wrote:

>

> Health warning: Risk increases during cleanup

> June 21. 2008

> Gazette Online - Solon,IA*

> By Diane Heldt

> The Gazette

> diane.heldt@...

>

> http://www.gazetteonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?

> AID=/20080621/NEWS/828428385/1006/news

>