Sanitization Recommendations Following Flooding
THE NEXT DDS
Learning Objectives:
After hearing this podcast, the listener will:
- Be
better prepared to react to an emergency flood situation
- Know
proper steps and precautions to take when cleaning, disinfecting, and
repairing areas, goods, or property damaged by excessive flooding
Over the last several weeks, a large part of the country has
been inundated by torrential rains associated with tropical storms. Dr. Greg Forbes, the Weather Channel’s severe
weather expert, reported that Hurricane Irene alone dumped 16 trillion gallons of
water on the United States. That volume
would cover the entire state of Texas to a depth of 3.4 inches. More recent storms have exposed parts of the
Northeast to rising water and dangerous flood conditions that
threaten the homes, workplaces, and health.
With that said, THE NEXT DDS thought it important to share several
cleaning and sanitizing recommendations after flooding.
Certainly
we hope you, your classmates, and your loved ones are not exposed to the above
scenario. If flooding is an unfortunate
reality, however, bear in mind that flood water may be toxic and/or
contaminated, and it is important you check with local emergency personnel, the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, OSAP, and other resources--such as
those afforded in THE NEXT DDS--to ensure everyone’s health and
well-being. Thanks and we hope this was
informative to you.
Related Reading:
- http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/floods/
- http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/floods/readiness.asp
- http://www.fda.gov/Food/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/ucm076881.htm
- http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/floods/sanitation.asp
- http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/floods/cleanupwater.asp
- http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/mold/reenter.asp
- http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/floods/after.asp
- http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/recovery.asp