Beware of water-borne diseases

While we may be basking in glorious sunny weather now, there are those who are still wading through murky waters brought on by the recent fioods.

We got this timely friendly reminder from Richard Gutierrez (not the actor but the environmentalist) of Ban Toxics!, an environmental organization that aims to raise toxics awareness in schools and communities: “I came across the American Lung Association site, providing an advisory for people with respiratory ailments/lung disease who have been affected by floods.  Some very good tips after the latest flooding, for instance something very practical and at the same time ignored by people like, ‘Simply drying out the water will not remove the contaminants or the microorganisms.’ Here’s the full advisory and the link: http://www.lung.org/healthy-air/home/resources/emergencies-disasters/flood-water-damage.html. I thought STAR readers may benefit from some of the applicable wisdom in the advisory.”

Don’t breathe now

Did you know that stagnant water from the floods is a perfect breeding ground for microorganisms? These can get airborne and trigger lung disease in people who inhale them.

Even after the floodwaters subside, the water-borne microorganisms left behind may pose a special health risk to people suffering from lung disease or increase the number of people who will likely develop lung disease. 

And with people coughing and sneezing in public, bless them, it’s easy to spread infectious diseases such as influenza, pneumonia and, yes, tuberculosis. 

And did you know that damp buildings and furnishings can encourage the growth of microorganisms, molds, and dust mites, which can aggravate asthma, pneumonitis, and allergies in susceptible people? Now, you and I know.

Of course, dealing with any calamity can put undue stress on people who are already ill as well as the elderly, making them more vulnerable to respiratory and other illnesses. It can also be traumatic for children who develop a deep-seated phobia for typhoons.

Mopping-up operation

After the flood, while a lot of us may have done quite a lot of cleaning up, work is never really done. So, if you’re still at it, be warned that the airborne microorganisms you inhale while cleaning up may cause lung disease or complications, if you already have it.

Simply drying out the water will not get rid of the contaminants. Things that can be cleaned must be cleaned thoroughly while those that cannot be cleaned or are irreparably damaged must be disposed of.

Excess indoor moisture can affect indoor air quality. A high level of humidity provides an ideal environment for the growth of dust mites, which could bring about additional health hazards such as asthma and allergic reactions.

As cleaning up can take forever, it is important to safeguard one’s health.  Here’s a must-do list:

• First, stop the water intrusions. Identify the extent of the contamination. Trace the pathways of the water to find where damage has spread.

• Schedule and do the cleanup. 

• Clean and dry out materials that can be completely dried.

• Remove damaged materials that cannot be completely dried, including those that cannot be thoroughly cleaned and dried in 24 to 48 hours.

• Avoid using air-cleaning devices that emit ozone, which can be hazardous to lung health, especially for children, the elderly, and people with asthma and chronic lung diseases.

With the power outage during a typhoon, people have no recourse but to use gas or charcoal stoves or grills, or whatever device does not use electricity. A friendly warning: Burning fuel such as kerosene, gas, oil, wood or charcoal releases carbon monoxide, which in higher concentrations can be toxic to humans and animals. Exposure to this toxic gas can impair the blood’s ability to carry oxygen, which can be fatal.

So, heed this burning warning: Never ever burn charcoal or propane inside your home or camper.

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Hot tips on flood-damaged equipment

Got flood-damaged appliances and/or gadgets?

Ban Toxics went around Marikina, Cebu, and Davao, and found out that a typical urban household owns at least four mobile phones, two TVs, two computers, and nine compact fluorescent bulbs, among many other electronic appliances. 

Gathering tons of tips online, Ban Toxics shares some top advisories that consumers should find useful the next time a typhoon strikes.

• Safety first. Unplug electronic appliances that have been water damaged.  Do not switch on an electronic equipment, especially if it still has water. Water damage can short-circuit the appliance and cause electric shock to the person turning on the appliance.

• Clean and dry the electronic appliance. Clean and remove the water inside the electronic appliance. Water that has entered the motor electrical contacts and switches may corrode or short-circuit these parts. Blot up excess or standing water with a dry cloth.

If mud has soaked into the equipment, resist the temptation of hosing it down.  Water jetting from the hose might seep into areas that were previously untouched by the mud and cause further problems.  If there is a resulting odor, homemade deodorizer of baking soda and water should be helpful. 

• Have the electronic appliances tested in authorized service centers. For safety and practical reasons, consumers are advised not to test the electronic equipment by themselves. Ban Toxics talked to eight major electronics equipment manufacturers  and they all agreed that consumers should bring their damaged equipment to an authorized service center for testing. 

• Don’t dump or burn that e-waste! The service center personnel will give the consumer a good idea on whether the equipment can still be repaired or not.  For those that can’t be repaired, here’s what not to do: Don’t dump, burn or dispose of this electronic waste or e-waste.  Electronic equipment contain various toxic components that are harmful not only to humans, but to wildlife and the environment as well.  A 2011 report notes that toxins such as mercury, lead, cadmium, brominated flame-retardants, arsenic, and phthalates are just some of the toxic components lurking in electronic products.  

What to do with your e-waste? Some electronic manufacturers have a take-back program and will accept your e-waste for disposal free of charge.  Call the appropriate manufacturers and double-check if you can drop off your e-waste.

If the manufacturer has no take-back program for e-waste, log on to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources website and look for accredited electronic waste handlers.  If the junk shop is not properly accredited by the DENR, chances are the e-wastes will be improperly managed and can cause harmful pollution. 

• Take preventive measures against future water damage.

With the threat of more typhoons to come, consumers living in flood-prone areas should take these tips: Put the electronic equipment on a platform to prevent future damage if you live in an area that experiences shallow flooding; or consider elevating the equipment in another level of the house, especially in cases where major flooding occurs in your area.

While it’s said that the Pinoy spirit is waterproof, it won’t hurt to take these precautions and stay safe and dry. 

  — Sources: Institute of Medicine.  Damp Indoor Spaces and Health, 2004. US EPA. Fact Sheet Flood Cleanup-Avoiding Indoor Air Quality Problems, October 2003