Health department warning about health impacts from flood cleanup

FOR FLOOD VICTIMS TIM’S RECOVERY REALLY IS JUST BEGINNING ACROSS MUCH OF VERMONT. THE WORST OF THE WATER AND MUD MAY BE BEHIND US, BUT THERE ARE ALSO HEALTH CONCERNS TO KEEP IN MIND. NBC FIVE’S AMANDA MARTIN-RYAN SPOKE WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TODAY ABOUT WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR. AMANDA YAZOO. ALICE THERE’S SO MANY THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND IF YOU’RE CONTINUING TO CLEAN UP YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS. THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS STRESSING JUST HOW HARMFUL EXPOSURE TO CONTAMINANTS CAN BE, EVEN WHEN THE CLEANUP IS DONE. WHILE VICTIMS ARE AT DIFFERENT POINTS IN THEIR RECOVERY PROCESSES ACROSS THE STATE, THAT THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS REMINDING ANYONE DEALING WITH CONTAMINATED DEBRIS TO USE PROTECTIVE GEAR AND ALSO ADVISING CERTAIN GROUPS TO AVOID CLEANUP EFFORTS THAT ARE STILL UNDERWAY, ESPECIALLY IN AREAS WITH HIGH LEVELS OF DUST IN THE AIR. ON TOP OF THAT, MAKING SURE TO BE MINDFUL OF POSSIBLE EXPOSURE SYMPTOMS, EVEN IF YOU’VE ALREADY CLEARED OUT YOUR AFFECTED SPACE FOR MOLD. WE SAY WE DON’T RECOMMEND TESTING FOR IT. YOU SHOULD JUST ASSUME THAT IT’S THERE AFTER FLOODING AND WHERE AN N95 RESPIRATOR GLOVES AND GOGGLES TO PROTECT YOURSELF WHILE CLEANING PEOPLE CAN HAVE A LOT OF LIKE EYE AND THROAT IRRITATION, THEY MIGHT GET HEADACHES AND BE TIRED. THINGS LIKE THAT ARE THINGS TO BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR, FOR MOLD. AND IF YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT PROTOCOLS OR SAFETY MEASURES TO TAKE, CONSULT THE PROFESSIONALS LIKE THE ONES AVAILABLE AT MARK CENTERS READY WITH COUNTLESS RESOURCES AND INFORMATION. THE MARK CENTER IN MONTPELIER WILL BE OPEN THROUGH THIS WEEKEND FROM 9 TO 5 UNTIL TUESDAY. AND IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR ANY HELP OR INFORMATION FROM THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT, THEY HAVE A SLEW OF RESOURCES AVAILABLE ON THE WEBSITE LISTED BELOW ON YOUR SCREEN, OR YOU CAN HEAD OVER TO OUR WEBSITE AT M

Health department warning about health impacts from flood cleanup

The health department is reminding anyone dealing with contaminated debris to use protective gear, such as gloves, N95 masks, and goggles.

The recovery process is ongoing across Vermont after the recent flooding. Even though the worst of the water and mud may be behind us, there are still a lot of health concerns to keep in mind.While victims are at different points in their recovery processes across the state, the health department is reminding anyone dealing with contaminated debris to use protective gear, such as gloves, N95 masks, and goggles. They also recommend not to test for mold and just assume your flooded space is already contaminated with it. Luckily, the department recommends soap and water to remove it from hard surfaces.On top of that, the health department is also reminding people to be mindful of possible exposure symptoms, even if you’ve already cleared out your affected space. Some of those symptoms include throat and eye irritation, headaches, and fatigue.The health department is advising certain groups to avoid cleanup efforts that are still underway, especially in areas with high levels of dust in the air. Those groups include people with respiratory conditions, those with weakened immune systems, and children.If you don’t know what protocols or safety measures to take, consult the professionals, like the ones available at multi-agency resource centers, who are ready with countless resources and information.One MARC Center in Montpelier opened earlier this week and will remain open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. until Tuesday. Agencies present there include the health department, the labor department, the Salvation Army, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. For more resources and information from the health department, click here.

MONTPELIER, Vt. —

The recovery process is ongoing across Vermont after the recent flooding. Even though the worst of the water and mud may be behind us, there are still a lot of health concerns to keep in mind.

While victims are at different points in their recovery processes across the state, the health department is reminding anyone dealing with contaminated debris to use protective gear, such as gloves, N95 masks, and goggles.

They also recommend not to test for mold and just assume your flooded space is already contaminated with it. Luckily, the department recommends soap and water to remove it from hard surfaces.

On top of that, the health department is also reminding people to be mindful of possible exposure symptoms, even if you’ve already cleared out your affected space. Some of those symptoms include throat and eye irritation, headaches, and fatigue.

The health department is advising certain groups to avoid cleanup efforts that are still underway, especially in areas with high levels of dust in the air. Those groups include people with respiratory conditions, those with weakened immune systems, and children.

If you don’t know what protocols or safety measures to take, consult the professionals, like the ones available at multi-agency resource centers, who are ready with countless resources and information.

One MARC Center in Montpelier opened earlier this week and will remain open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. until Tuesday. Agencies present there include the health department, the labor department, the Salvation Army, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

For more resources and information from the health department, click here.

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