Rain goes, health risks arise (Dr. Clive Brown)

[Guest guest]

Hey KC,

There is a reader comment section at the bottom of this post. Am

considering sending a comment to the effect of " Mold can cause cognitive

dysfunction.

But I am not aware of any doctors in the Washington area that acknowledge or

know who to treat this. God, this is all we need, more unchecked and

untreated brain dysfuction in Washington, DC. " So what do ya think?

Sharon

[Guest guest]

Friday June 30, 2006

Rain goes, health risks arise

by TIFFANY ARNOLD tiffanya@...

http://www.herald-mail.com/?

module=displaystory & story_id=141500 & format=html

WASHINGTON COUNTY

As the floodwaters recede, a new set of worries has emerged amid

cleanup efforts throughout Washington County this week.

Health officials now are warning people about contaminated surface

water and other health risks that have arisen in the aftermath of

this week's flooding rains.

In addition to contaminated water, health officials said people

should be concerned about mold, mosquitoes and carbon monoxide

poisoning.

" It's quite possible that contaminated (surface) water could reach

people with wells, even if their homes weren't flooded, " said Rod

MacRae, spokesman for the Washington County Health Department.

Health department officials encouraged well users to test their

water. Testing kits, for a fee, are available from the health

department's Environmental Health Division, MacRae said.

Mold also is a major issue as homeowners attempt to get rid of

massive amounts of water.

" Mold is ubiquitous, it's everywhere, " said Dr. Clive Brown, a

medical epidemiologist for the Air Pollution and Respiratory Health

Branch of the National Center for Environmental Health, a division

of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Mold grows best in damp environments - the reason Brown said people

should try to get things dry within 48 hours.

" Get rid of things that retain moisture, like sofas, curtains and

mattresses, " Brown said.

If left unchecked, mold can cause respiratory infections and other

health problems, particularly for those who have asthma or weakened

immune systems, Brown said. It also can cause costly structural

damage.

Five days of storms dumped more than 8 inches of rain on Washington

County, according to i4weather.net, a Web site maintained by local

weather observer Greg Keefer.

It will cost about $250,000 to clean up damage to the county's

infrastucture, said Rohrer, the county's public works director.

While floodwaters have damaged many of the region's roads, " the

biggest expense will be cleanup, " Rohrer said.

Lehman's Carpet Cleaning has been inundated with calls since the

rains started Monday.

" There's a waiting list, " said Lehman, an owner of the

business.

Lehman said most people don't consider mold when they're dealing

with floodwaters.

" We can dry the carpet, but it's the padding, " Lehman said. " The

padding acts as a sponge, and it holds onto the water. That's where

the mildew grows. We have to explain that to people up front. "

People pumping out water on their own also must be aware of the risk

of carbon monoxide poisoning, CDC officials warn.

The CDC said more than 500 people die from accidental carbon

monoxide poisoning each year. Carbon monoxide is an odorless,

colorless gas emitted from gas or charcoal-burning devices, such as

generators, grills and stoves.

" People should never use a combustible engine inside an enclosed

area, " MacRae said.

Large pools of standing water also attract mosquitoes, known

transmitters of disease, health officials said.

" Get it dried out as soon as possible, " said Mike , a professor

of geography and geoscience at Salisbury University.

co-authored a report last fall on the state's vulnerability to

flooding. He said Washington County is moderately vulnerable to

flooding compared with other counties in the state.

A little more than 9 percent of all of the land in Washington County

is in a flood plain, said. The percentages are 61 percent and

58 percent, respectively, for Dorchester and Somerset counties.

said Washington County typically has heavy rains later in the

summer, when tropical storms are more prevalent.

" That's the thing, " said. " We're just getting started. We may

not get the wind, but up here in the mountains, we get the rain. "

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