Page 9 - Clinton Currents Volume XIX Issue 2 - Spring/Summer 2019

Spring/Summer 2019
Page 9
My basement ooded, what should I do?
During and following a ood, contact your utility companies for advice and information on precautions and safety measures. Do not handle connected electrical cords or appliances if the electrical current is
still on. Do not light a ame in an enclosed area containing gas or oil- red appliances. If your appliance's electrical controls are submerged, do not attempt to re-start the unit until you have consulted with a quali ed service provider.
How do I clean and disinfect after a ood?
Begin by providing as much ventilation as possible. Open
windows, doors and run fans to allow moist air to escape. You
should disinfect anything that has been in contact with ood
waters. Clean walls and oors with a mixture of household
detergent and water, using a scrub brush with stiff bristles. Disinfect
surfaces with a chlorine solution rinse made up of eight tablespoons (1/2 cup) common household bleach per gallon of clean, warm water. Chlorine bleach is an effective disinfectant, but should never be mixed with ammonia, since this combination produces poisonous gas. Professional cleaning services are listed online under re and water damage restoration.
What items can I salvage after a ood?
All hard-surfaced items such as storage containers, metal boxes, plastic toys, etc., should be thoroughly washed in soap and warm water and disinfected in a chlorine solution. Stuffed and upholstered furniture, mattresses, plush toys, and similar items are often impossible to decontaminate and clean with a conventional liquid or spray type germicide. If you choose to salvage, consult online or phone directories for services specializing in furniture, carpet and upholstery cleaning. Discard all non-hermetically sealed fruits, vegetables and stored food items that were in direct contact with ood waters. Jars, bottles and similar containers with crimped or screw-on caps, lids or covers, as well as cork or paraffin tops, may not safely prevent product contamination. Hermetically sealed, vacuum or pressure-packed foods can be salvaged by thoroughly washing the exterior surfaces with detergent and hot water, followed by immersion in a chlorine solution for at least 15 minutes.
What about my hygiene before, during, and after clean up?
Protect yourself by wearing rubber gloves during clean up, and wash your hands frequently in warm chlorinated water before eating. Use care to prevent tracking sewage and contaminated oodwaters into areas of your home that are clean. Wash clothing at the end of the day, and take a hot shower.
De nitions of terms and abbreviations
Not applicable (N/A) Not Detected (N/D)
Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU) – Measures the cloudiness of water known or expected risk to health.
Parts per Billion (ppb) – One in one billion. Equivalent to micrograms per liter. A microgram = 1/1000 milligram.
Parts per Million (ppm) – One in one billion. Equivalent to milligrams per liter. A milligram = 1/1000 gram.
Picocuries per Liter (pCi/L) – A measure of radioactivity.
Running Annual Average (RAA) – The average of analytical results for all samples during the previous four quarters.
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) – The sum of chloroform, bromodichloromethane, dibromoochloromethane and bromoform. Compliance is based on the total.
Treatment Technique (TT) – A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.
μmhos Micromhos – Measure of electrical conductance of water
> Greater than < Less than