Flood Remediation Tips for North Carolina Residents to Protect Health

The destruction of homes and communities after Hurricane Isaias is tragic, and flood rehabilitation has the potential for serious and permanent health threats. The American Lung Association in North Carolina offers cleaning tips to reduce the health risks of flooded residents.

Chemicals, wastewater, oil, gas and other dangerous substances in the flood can pose health risks for local residents, and mold can grow wherever there is water or moisture.

"Standing water and moisture are a breeding ground for bacteria, viruses and mold," said Dr. Albert Rizzo, medical director of the Lung Association. with wheezing, coughing and in some cases asthma attacks. There is also evidence of a link between mold and respiratory diseases in children that would otherwise be healthy. ""

The Lung Association has released cleaning tips that have been shown to reduce health risks for North Carolina residents:

Wear protective equipment. During cleaning, you can inhale and come into contact with dust, building materials, contaminants and microorganisms. Wear disposable gloves and glasses and, if necessary, an N95 mask (if applicable).

1. Switch off electricity and gas at the cleaning point. Do not use portable gasoline or diesel generators, pressure washers, grills, camping stoves, or other gasoline, propane, or coal appliances and other household appliances indoors. These produce carbon monoxide, which can kill occupants if it accumulates inside.
2. If in doubt, throw it away! Remove anything that has been soaked in water, including clothing, papers, furniture, carpets, tiles, and wall coverings. Anything that cannot be cleaned and dried, and anything that is porous (such as drywall and carpets) and is in the flood for 24 to 48 hours should be discarded. Simply drying the water does not remove the bacteria or toxins that can make people sick.
3. Use soap and water to clean , especially to remove mold on hard surfaces. Do not use bleach as this can make breathing difficult.
4. Hire professional cleaners. If more than 10 square meters of your home is flooded or if there has been water in the building for more than a day or two, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends bringing professional cleaners with you. Flooding brings with it unpleasant deposits that can contaminate porous building materials. Molds thrive in this environment, and trying to clean them without professional help can increase your risk of breathing problems.
5. Do not incinerate foreign objects or waste as this can lead to dangerous air pollution. Take it to a designated disposal area.
6. Pay attention to symptoms. It is not uncommon for people to develop health problems after a disaster like Hurricane Isaias, even if they have never had problems before. Pay attention to possible breathing problems such as coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, chest tightness or pain.
7. Ask for help. The Lung Association's Lung Helpline at 1-800-LUNGUSA has nurses and respiratory therapists and is a free resource to answer all questions about lung, lung disease, and lung health, including how to protect yourself while cleaning.

More information on protection can be found at Lung.org/flood .

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