While communities are currently dealing with the primary destruction caused by Hurricane Ian, other health-impacting issues could develop as a result of the storm’s effect on remaining buildings and infrastructure. Often these appear as a result of conditions that are favorable to the growth of biological organisms that are human health hazards. A brief summary of select hazards are below.
One major change a hurricane can cause is the failure of utility services as a result of being overwhelmed by the storm. These failures can have a cascading effect on both the system and the end user (e.g., homeowner). The primary impact is to the local water utility, where lack of power and flooding can result in stagnant potable water (i.e., clean water intended for drinking). Stagnation can cause disinfectants (e.g., chlorine) to rapidly become used up and creates a condition that allows pathogenic bacteria like Legionella to grow. The favorable conditions for Legionella growth can cause real human health risks when the systems are turned back on. The quality of the water in the utility water mains as well as within a building (e.g., office) needs to be evaluated to determine if Legionella is growing. Other building water system changes that can occur following a hurricane can create a scenario that allows Legionella or other waterborne pathogens to grow.
Another change is that flooded homes, businesses, and office buildings are the perfect environment to promote heavy microbial growth. Mold and endotoxin levels skyrocket to concerning levels after a water intrusion event (Chew et al., 2006). Extreme winds can take up so many things from the environment and deposit them in places that they do not belong. Mold spores which were previously outside find themselves deposited in buildings and homes. In addition to water intrusion, temperature conditions also become ideal for growth due to lack of power and air conditioning.
Hurricanes are dangerous in their own right and the aftermath of a storm like Ian can lead to serious human health risks, both immediate and down the road. Profuse water intrusion, warm temperatures, and loss of power are the ideal combination of conditions for Legionella and fungi to grow.
Exposure Assessment Consulting can aid in identifying these hazards and help mitigate risk points in a variety of exposure scenarios following Hurricane Ian. Please reach out today for a free 15-minute confidential appointment to discuss these potential health risks and how we can help.
References:
Chew GL, Wilson J, Rabito FA, Grimsley F, Iqbal S, Reponen T, Muilenberg ML, Thorne PS, Dearborn DG, Morley RL. Mold and endotoxin levels in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina: a pilot project of homes in New Orleans undergoing renovation. Environ Health Perspect. 2006 Dec;114(12):1883-9. doi: 10.1289/ehp.9258. PMID: 17185280; PMCID: PMC1764149.
Ginger L. Chew, Jonathan Wilson, Felicia A. Rabito, Faye Grimsley, Shahed Iqbal, Tiina Reponen, Michael L. Muilenberg, Peter S. Thorne, Dorr G. Dearborn, and Rebecca L. Morley, 2006, Mold and Endotoxin Levels in the Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina: A Pilot Project of Homes in New Orleans Undergoing Renovation; Environmental Health Perspectives 114:12 CID
Hicks LA, Rose CE Jr, Fields BS, Drees ML, Engel JP, Jenkins PR, Rouse BS, Blythe D, Khalifah AP, Feikin DR, Whitney CG. Increased rainfall is associated with increased risk for legionellosis. Epidemiol Infect. 2007 Jul;135(5):811-7. doi: 10.1017/S0950268806007552. Epub 2006 Nov 23. PMID: 17121693; PMCID: PMC2870637.