Floodwater can contain sewage, industrial chemicals, agricultural runoff, and biological hazards that pose serious health risks to homeowners and restoration workers, and public health officials are urging better communication of these risks in the aftermath of flood events.
The health risks associated with floodwater exposure include gastrointestinal illness from contact with sewage-contaminated water, skin infections from contact with contaminated surfaces, and respiratory illness from inhaling mold spores and other contaminants that develop in flood-damaged structures.
The CDC advises that all floodwater should be treated as potentially contaminated with sewage and other hazardous substances. Homeowners who must enter flooded structures should wear waterproof boots, gloves, and eye protection, and should avoid contact with floodwater whenever possible.
For restoration workers, the health risks of working in flood-damaged structures require comprehensive personal protective equipment, including respiratory protection, waterproof clothing, and eye protection. Workers should be trained on the specific hazards they may encounter and the appropriate protective measures.
Restoration contractors have a professional and ethical obligation to communicate the health risks of flood damage to their clients and to ensure that their workers are adequately protected. Failure to do so can result in health consequences for clients and workers, as well as legal liability for the contractor.
