North Dakota Flooding Leaves Environmental Health Risks Behind

MINOT, North Dakota – The 130 year old record-shattering rainstorm fell on North Dakota this past week, delivering widespread flooding causing extensive damage to North Dakota's fourth-largest city of Minot.  The flooding is expected to crest early on Sunday, with storms threatening to complicate efforts.

Local and federal officials worked feverishly to reinforce levees, protect the city's key infrastructure and care for thousands of residents forced to flee their submerged homes. The state of North Dakota and federal agencies will open and operate three flood disaster recovery centers, two in Minot and one in Bismarck, to assist home and business owners who have suffered losses due to flooding and want to apply for recovery programs.

POLLUTION AND HIGH HEALTH RISK:

Floodwaters potentially increase the risk of air, surface and water pollution. The stagnant water from flooding is a reservoir for microbes and other chemicals (VOC and other gases) as it contains sewage and other debris. Bacterial and fungi/mold infections are very common in this situation and the contaminated environment carries potential high health risks for diseases/epidemics.

Dangerous toxins found in flood waters are a significant health problem for area residents in the flooded portions of North Dakota.

Standing water is a breeding ground for bacteria, viruses and mold, which can become airborne and put people at risk for lung disease and other respiratory problems. Contaminants in the flood waters can pose additional threats that last long after the waters recede.

Contaminants, bacteria, viruses and mold pose risks even after the waters recede.  Children, seniors and people with lung diseases like asthma and COPD are at a higher risk of developing breathing problems from these contaminants.

The American Lung Association cautions North Dakota residents that dampness, and not just standing water, gives rise to mold and mildew.

Floods can bring into your home a toxic mix of contaminants that can include sewage, pesticides, and chemicals. The most important part of the cleanup process is removing all the water, including the hidden dampness that can remain in indoor areas to prevent the growth of mold.

Damaged materials and furnishings should be discarded, including any items that cannot be thoroughly cleaned and dried within 24-48 hours. Simply drying out water will not remove the contaminants or toxins that can make people sick. Furniture and other personal belongings covered by water should be discarded to prevent mold growth.

The resident/property owner should avoid direct contact with standing water when possible to minimize the chance for infection. It is also important to have information available on the potential chemical and biological contaminants for managing the risk of health and hygiene.

ENVIRONMENTAL SAMPLING AND ASSESSMENT:

It is essential to know the nature and type of pollutants in order to evaluate the associated risk of a flood-damaged areas in North Dakota. EDLab recommends The IAQ Test Kit Center online at www.indoorairtest.com for Do-It-Yourself (DIY) test kits for testing allergens, bacteria, mold, volatile organic compounds (VOC), or flood victims may take advantage of our special program, Building Health Check, for assessing the building condition after the flood.  The Building Health Check (BHC) hotline 800-422-7873 is open and a BHC specialist is ready to help.

Flood victims may also purchase Do-It-Yourself test kits and other sampling supplies available by calling Cy Garner at 1-800-422-7873   Ext. 404.  Additionally, the building scientists are available to perform on-site evaluations of the indoor environmental integrity by calling 1800-422-7873 ext 802..

SPECIAL DISCOUNT: EDLab offers a 10% discount off the list price on all their services. This offer is valid from June26, 2011 till July 30, 2011 for flood-affected areas of North Dakota.

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About Environmental Diagnostics Laboratory (EDLab):

Alan Wozniak founded Pure Air Control Services, Inc. in 1984 as a small mechanical contracting firm and has since set the industry standard for indoor environmental quality diagnosis, environmental laboratory and remediation. Pure Air Control Services has serviced more than 600 million square feet of indoor environments in over 10,000 facilities.

The Environmental Diagnostics Laboratory (EDLab) (established in 1992) at Pure Air Control Services (PACS) is an AIHA accredited environmental lab offering complete and comprehensive indoor environmental microbiology laboratory services. They include: microbiology, aerobiology, chemistry, allergen assays and microscopy designed to meet all your indoor air needs. EDLab supports IAQ investigations by assisting with strategic sampling plan development and supplying media collection equipment while performing a wide range of environmental analyses.

The company’s expanding client roster includes the General Services Administration (GSA);US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Allstate Insurance; Carrier Air Conditioning; US Naval Air Warfare Center, Orlando; and Naval Air Station - King's Bay, Georgia, and many other Fortune 500 companies, school boards, and city, state, and county governments, making Pure Air Control Services/EDLab the reliable industry leader in IAQ.

For more information on EDLab at Pure Air Control Services, Inc. please contact Cy Garner, at (800) 422-7873  804, or DIY Testing Krynn Stone ext 404 or visit www.pureaircontrols.com.        

iaq@pureaircontrols.com
www.Edlab.org

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