{"id":9877,"date":"2025-03-01T14:01:22","date_gmt":"2025-03-01T19:01:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/i-floodandiaq\/"},"modified":"2025-03-02T00:39:15","modified_gmt":"2025-03-02T05:39:15","slug":"i-floodandiaq","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/hsp\/i-floodandiaq\/","title":{"rendered":"hsp\/i-floodandiaq ~  Flood Cleanup and IAQ  &#8211; Delaware Health and Social Services &#8211; State of Delaware"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-swiftype-index=\"true\">\n\n\n\n  <br>\n\n  \n\n\n\n  \n\n  <div class=\"container\" id=\"main_header\">\n\n    \n\n\n\n <!-- BEGIN readspeaker div -->\n\n    <div class=\"rs_skip rsbtn rs_preserve\" id=\"readspeaker_button1\">\n\n      <a accesskey=\"L\" class=\"rsbtn_play\" href=\"https:\/\/app-na.readspeaker.com\/cgi-bin\/rsent?customerid=7262&#038;lang=en_us&#038;readid=main_content&#038;url=https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/hsp\/i-floodandiaq.html\" title=\"Listen to this page using ReadSpeaker\">\n\n        <span class=\"rsbtn_left rsimg rspart\"><span class=\"rsbtn_text\"><span>Listen<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n\n        <span class=\"rsbtn_right rsimg rsplay rspart\"><\/span>\n\n      <\/a>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n    <!-- END readspeaker div -->\n\n\n\n\n\n    \n\n    <header class=\"pull-left\">\n\n      <h1><!--[type=EDIT name=\"Page Title\"]-->INFORMATION SHEET<!--[END]--><\/h1>\n\n    <\/header>\n\n    \n\n  <\/div><br>\n\n \n\n  <div class=\"container\">\n\n    <div class=\"row\">\n\n      <div class=\"col-md-3\" id=\"leftCol\">\n\n        <div class=\"panel-group\" id=\"accordion\">\n\n          <div class=\"panel sectionmenu_panel\">\n\n            <div class=\"panel-heading\">\n\n              <p class=\"panel-title\"><a class=\"agency_nav\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapseOne\"><strong><i class=\"fa fa-align-justify fa-fw\"><\/i> Public Health Menu<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n            <\/div>\n\n\n\n            <div class=\"panel-collapse collapse in\" id=\"collapseOne\">\n\n              <div class=\"panel-body\" id=\"clf_nav\">\n\n                  <ul class=\"nav nav-stacked nav-pills-clf\" id=\"agency_sidebar\">\n    <li><a href=\"\/dph\/\"><h2>Home <i class=\"fa fa-home fa-fw\"><\/i><\/h2><\/a><\/li>\n    <li class=\"toplevel\"><a data-parent=\"#agency_sidebar\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#HomeMenu\"><h2>About <i class=\"fa fa-caret-right fa-fw\"><\/i><\/h2><\/a>\n      <ul class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"HomeMenu\">\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/about.html\">About DPH<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/sections.html\">Sections &#038; 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HSP is listening?\" class=\"floatright\" height=\"100\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/dph\/img\/hspsurveybutton.png\"><\/a>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"center\">FLOOD CLEANUP:<br>\n\n\n\nHOW TO AVOID INDOOR AIR QUALITY PROBLEMS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<h3>INTRODUCTION<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>During and after a flood event, usually the last concern is future problems that the flood damage may\n\n\n\ncause. While it is extremely important not to re-enter the building until flood waters recede, it is important\n\n\n\nto remember that cleanup should begin as soon as it is safe to return to the building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>Prompt and proper\n\n\n\ncleanup is important for your health. Flood waters can contain microorganisms, such as bacteria and molds,\n\n\n\nviruses, raw sewage, dead animals and other debris. It is important to remove such debris and\/or contaminated\n\n\n\nmaterials from your home as quickly as possible to eliminate possible or continued microbial growth. Poor\n\n\n\nindoor air quality can result if materials are not cleaned properly or discarded promptly and can lead\n\n\n\nto ongoing contamination of your indoor air by the microorganisms mentioned above. Poor indoor air quality\n\n\ncan lead to various health issues including respiratory problems and allergies, and it can continue to\n\n\ndamage building materials long after the flood waters have receded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<h3>AVOIDING PROBLEMS DUE TO MICROBIAL GROWTH<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<h4>Remove water:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>As soon as possible, all water should be pumped, swept, or otherwise removed from inside of the building.\n\n\n\nAny debris, such as tree branches, garbage, and mud, should also be removed at this time. It is also a\n\n\n\ngood idea to remove furniture, carpets, and other items that were wet or damaged by the flood waters.\n\n\n\nThese materials, once wet, may contain contamination, such as microbial growth. By removing the wet or\n\n\n\ndamaged materials that may contain health hazards, you are effectively removing the microorganisms. This\n\n\n\nis also the time when leaky roofs, broken windows, or other areas where water may leak into the home should\n\n\n\nbe patched or fixed to eliminate possible future water damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<h4>Completely dry out your house\/building:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>The next step is to thoroughly dry the building. This process should include the use of fans if it\n\n\n\nis safe to use electricity and the opening of windows to increase air circulation, ventilation and drying.\n\n\n\nDehumidifiers should be used with windows and doors closed. It may be necessary to remove portions of\n\n\n\nwalls, ceilings, and floors to fully accomplish a complete drying out of the house. Certain building materials\n\n\n\n(for example, wallboard, fiberglass, insulation and wall-to-wall carpeting) that were soaked only with\n\n\n\nclean rain water may be able to be saved if dried properly and completely. You may, however, want to consider\n\n\n\nremoving and replacing them to avoid possible future indoor air quality problems, especially if the beginning\n\n\n\nof the drying process was delayed for more than 48 hours. <strong>The drying process is extremely important\n\n\n\nbecause many of the microorganisms, which can cause health effects, need moist environments to survive<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<h4>Time is very important:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>As mentioned before, prompt action is very important for proper drying. Drying can usually be successful\n\n\n\nduring the first 24 to 48 hours following water contamination. After that time period, removal of wet\n\n\n\nmaterials is usually the best option. The microorganisms that are found in flood waters can establish\n\n\n\nthemselves very quickly and once established, they may be hard to eliminate. The drying process should\n\n\n\ncontinue for days to weeks until materials are thoroughly dry (not just to the touch) and humidity levels\n\n\n\nreturn to normal (35-55%). Humidity levels are important to monitor, since the growth of microorganisms\n\n\n\nwill continue as long as humidity levels are high. If the house is not dried properly, a musty odor, signifying\n\n\n\ngrowth of microorganisms, can remain long after the flood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<h4>Clean all surfaces:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>The walls, floors, studs, closets, shelves, contents, in fact, every flooded part or item in your house,\n\n\n\nshould be thoroughly washed and disinfected. Bleach, mildew removers, disinfectants such as quaternary,\n\n\n\nphenolic, or pine oil based cleaners, and non-sudsing household cleaners should be used. It is important\n\n\n\nto read the label on every cleaner and use the appropriate safety methods. This includes such things as\n\n\n\nwearing gloves, eye protection, providing proper ventilation and not mixing different household cleaning\n\n\n\nagents. Mixing certain types of products, such as bleach and ammonia, can produce toxic fumes and result\n\n\n\nin injury and even death. As household cleaning agents contain chemicals that may be harsh, care should\n\n\n\nbe exercised when cleaning items.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<h4>Remove and discard items that can not be dried and cleaned effectively:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>It can be difficult to throw away items in a home, particularly those with sentimental value. However,\n\n\n\nkeeping certain items that were soaked with water may be harmful to your health. As a general rule: Materials\n\n\n\nthat are wet and cannot be thoroughly cleaned and dried should be discarded, as they can remain a source\n\n\n\nof microbial growth. In addition, fiberboard, fibrous insulation and disposable filters in your heating\n\n\n\nand air conditioning system should be replaced if they are in contact with water. The heating and air\n\n\n\nconditioning ducts will also need to be cleaned if they contacted water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<h4>Avoid carbon monoxide danger:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, gas that can be lethal at high levels. Carbon monoxide\n\n\n\nlevels can build up rapidly if certain types of combustion devices (for example, gasoline-powered generators,\n\n\n\ncamp stoves and lanterns or charcoal-burning devices) are used indoors. Do not use combustion devices\n\n\n\ndesigned for outdoor use indoors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<h3>ADDITIONAL INFORMATION<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<ul>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"dblspace\">Copies of this fact sheet are available from the Environmental Health Evaluation\n\n\n\nBranch of the Delaware Division of Public Health.<\/li>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<li class=\"dblspace\">A publication called <em>Repairing Your Flooded Home<\/em>, is also available from\n\n\n\nthe <a href=\"http:\/\/www.redcross.org\/\">American Red Cross<\/a> and the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.fema.gov\/\">Federal\n\n\n\nEmergency Management Agency (FEMA)<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<li class=\"dblspace\">Information on many aspects of indoor air quality is available from the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.epa.gov\/iaq\/\">US\n\n\n\nEPA<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"xsmalltext\">REFERENCES:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<ul>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"xsmalltext\">Repairing Your Flooded Home.\u00a0 American Red Cross\/Federal Emergency Response\n\n\n\nAgency (FEMA).<\/li>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<li class=\"xsmalltext\">USEPA. Indoor Air Quality Information. P.O. Box\u00a0 37133, Washington, DC 20013-7133<\/li>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<li class=\"xsmalltext\">Adapted with modifications from American Red Cross\/FEMA and U.S. EPA Fact Sheets\n\n\n\nand Reports.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"center\">Content Revised: July 12, 2004<\/p>\n\n\n\n  <!--[END]-->\n\n  \n\n      <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n  <\/div><!-- \/container -->\n\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Listen INFORMATION SHEET Public Health Menu Home About About DPH Sections &#038; Programs Office Locations Contact Info Calendar Services A-Z Services Air &#038; Water Quality Birth, Death, &#038; Marriage Records Clinics Health Data &#038; Statistics Emergency Preparedness Health &#038; Wellness Healthy Homes Healthy Workplaces Laboratory Restaurant Inspections Screening and Testing WIC Additional Services Information A-Z [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"parent":9779,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-9877","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/9877","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9877"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/9877\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11072,"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/9877\/revisions\/11072"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/9779"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9877"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}