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Hurricane Sandy Creates New Health Concerns

Katherine Ostrowski |
November 7, 2012 | 12:10 p.m. PST

Staff Reporter

Dirty water from Hurricane Sandy's aftermath can contain dangerous bacteria, viruses, toxins and sewage leading to increased health risks. (Creative Commons/Flickr)
Dirty water from Hurricane Sandy's aftermath can contain dangerous bacteria, viruses, toxins and sewage leading to increased health risks. (Creative Commons/Flickr)

In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, The Center for Disease Control outlined major health concerns to identify and avoid including infections from dirty floodwater, mold, contaminated food and carbon monoxide poisoning. 

Dirty water, with dangerous bacteria, viruses, toxins and sewage covers the streets and could coat objects that were submerged from Hurricane Sandy. The CDC encourages people to wash their hands often. 

“People, especially children, can get sick by touching contaminated objects and putting their hands in their mouths, causing gastrointestinal problems like diarrhea and vomiting…They can also get infections from coming in contact with the bacteria with open sores and cuts, which can be "very difficult to treat,” according to Dr. Christopher Portier, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Center for Environmental Health in an interview for ABC News. 

Mold and contaminated or expired food are also huge problems in the wake of the storm. Never eat expired or possibly contaminated food exposed to floodwater; the consequences can wreck havoc on your digestive system. To prevent mold growth, early clean-up and throwing away objects that can’t be washed are vital. Throw away any damp mattresses, carpet and upholstered furniture, the CDC advises.

“Even if you're not allergic, mold spores tend to be irritating to the airways and can cause respiratory symptoms," said Dr. David Rosenstreich, director of Allergy and Immunology at Montefiore Medical Center. Rosenstreich said that an estimated 10 to 20 percent of the population is allergic to mold.”

Carbon monoxide poisoning is also a deadly problem in the cold weather and is caused by gas emitted by several warming appliances. People who have no heat commonly turn to backup generators and other alternative forms of staying warm; According to Dr. Howard Mell, spokesperson for the American College of Emergency Physicians, carbon monoxide poisoning is the number one risk for people returning to their homes.

Symptoms for carbon monoxide poisoning include feeling light-headed, nauseated and feeling the need to lie down. 

“Don't use a generator, pressure washer, charcoal grill, camp stove, or other gasoline- or charcoal-burning device inside your home, basement, or garage or less than 20 feet from any window, door, or vent. Don't run a car or truck inside a garage attached to your house, even if you leave the door open. Don't heat your house with a gas oven,” advised the CDC. 

Reach Staff Reporter Katherine Ostrowski here.



 

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