Newly described contaminant sources in Katrina-flooded homes pose health risks

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" Newly described contaminant sources in Katrina-flooded homes pose health risks "

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-02/mali-ndc020209.php

Multiphase Contaminant Distributions Inside Flooded Homes In New Orleans,

Louisiana, after Hurricane Katrina: A Modeling Study

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To cite this paper:

A. , Kalliat T. Valsaraj, Louis J. Thibodeaux. Environmental

Engineering Science. ahead of print. doi:10.1089/ees.2008.0095.

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Full Text PDF: • HiRes for printing (204.2 KB) • PDF Plus w/ links (193.7 KB)

http://www.liebertonline.com/doi/pdfplus/10.1089/ees.2008.0095

A. Cain Department of Chemical Engineering, Louisiana State

University, Baton Rouge, LA 70808. Phone: 225-578-9169; Fax: 225-578-1476;

E-mail: nashle1@...

Kalliat T. Valsaraj Cain Department of Chemical Engineering, Louisiana State

University, Baton Rouge, LA 70808.

Louis J. Thibodeaux Cain Department of Chemical Engineering, Louisiana State

University, Baton Rouge, LA 70808.

Flooding caused by Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, Louisiana, in August 2005

resulted in contaminated sediments being deposited inside homes and businesses.

As these structures sat unoccupied for weeks to months after floodwaters had

been drained, volatile and semivolatile pollutants in the sediment distribute

themselves between multiple indoor phases (MIPs) that include the vapor phase,

mold films, and aerosolized mold spores inside the home.

First responders, returning residents, and recovery workers are exposed to

these pollutants by two primary pathways: dermal contact with sediments and mold

films and inhalation of gas-phase pollutants and contaminated mold aerosol.

The objective of this work is to offer a theoretical model for estimating

chemical concentrations and human exposure in post-Katrina flooded homes.

To date, measurements of contaminant levels exist for the sediment deposits

only, and no data are available on indoor gas-phase contaminants, contaminated

mold films, or aerosol. Based on known contaminant loadings of interior

deposited sediments, an equilibrium model for estimating levels in the other

media was developed.

Results forecast possible types and levels of volatile and semi-volatile

organic species likely to be found in the MIPs inside Katrina-flooded homes.

This worst-case scenario modeling approach enumerates specific pollutant classes

and phases that may be of concern to persons having contact with flooded

structures as well as demolition residues.

Areas of future research and exposure concerns that should be taken into

account during future urban flood situations are discussed.