&EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Office of Air and Radiation
Revised November 2012
Flood Cleanup: Avoiding Indoor Air Quality Problems
Fact Sheet
Introduction
During a flood cleanup, the indoor air quality in your home
or office may appear to be the least of your problems.
However, failure to remove contaminated materials and to
reduce moisture and humidity can present serious long-
term health risks. Standing water and wet materials are a
breeding ground for microorganisms, such as viruses,
bacteria, and mold. They can cause disease, trigger
allergic reactions, and continue to damage materials long
after the flood.
This fact sheet discusses problems caused by microbial
growth, as well as other potential effects of flooding, on
long-term indoor air quality and the steps you can take to
lessen these effects. Although the information contained
here emphasizes residential flood cleanup, it is also
applicable to other types of buildings.
Prepare for Cleanup
Read Repairing Your Flooded Home prepared by the
Federal Emergency Management Agency and the
American Red Cross. The booklet discusses flood safety
issues and can save your life. The booklet also contains
detailed information on proper methods for cleaning up
your home. You should also consult the wealth of
information on the FEMA, CDC, and The American Lung
Association sites on the subject, which are listed below:
• FEMA website on floods/flooding -
www.fema.qov/hazards/floods
• The American Red Cross -
www.redcross.org
• American Lung Association's Fact Sheet on Flood
Clean-up
www.lunqusa.org/air/flood factsheet99.html
This fact sheet provides additional information not covered
in the original FEMA/American Red Cross booklet on
indoor air quality concerns related to flooding (however,
because this fact sheet was prepared in 1993, it is more
than likely that FEMA and the Red Cross and the
American Lung Association do have more up-to-date
information and resources available which you should
consult). Many of the methods used for general cleanup,
as detailed in the booklet, are the same as those used to
avoid problems with indoor air quality. For brevity, we have
not provided detail on the general methods used for
cleanup here. This fact sheet is intended to be used in
conjunction with the FEMA/American Red Cross booklet
and resources.
Children are different from adults. They may be more
vulnerable to chemicals and organisms they are exposed
to in the environment.
Avoid Problems from Microbial Growth
Remove Standing Water
Standing water is a breeding ground for microorganisms,
which can become airborne and be inhaled. Where
floodwater contains sewage or decaying animal carcasses,
infectious disease is of concern. Even when flooding is
due to rainwater, the growth of microorganisms can cause
allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. For these health
reasons, and to lessen structural damage, all standing
water should be removed as quickly as possible.
Dry Out Your Home
Excess moisture in the home is an indoor air quality
concern for three reasons:
Microorganisms brought into the home during flooding
may present a health hazard. These organisms can
penetrate deep into soaked, porous materials and later
be released into air or water. Coming in contact with
air or water that contains these organisms can make
you sick.
High humidity and moist materials provide ideal
environments for the excessive growth of
microorganisms that are always present in the home.
This may result in additional health concerns such as
allergic reactions.
Long-term increases in humidity in the home can also
foster the growth of dust mites. Dust mites are a major
cause of allergic reactions and asthma.
See Step 4, Dry Out Your Home, of the American Red
Cross/FEMA booklet, Repairing Your Flooded Home, on
steps that should be taken to open up and dry out ceilings,
walls, and floors in the home.
Be patient. The drying out process could take several
weeks, and growth of microorganisms will continue as long
as humidity is high. If the house is not dried out properly, a
musty odor, signifying growth of microorganisms can
remain long after the flood.
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Remove Wet Materials
Avoid Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
It can be difficult to throw away items in a home,
particularly those with sentimental value. However,
keeping certain items that were soaked by water may be
unhealthy. Some materials tend to absorb and keep water
more than others. In general, materials that are wet and
cannot be thoroughly cleaned and dried within 24-48
hours should be discarded, as they can remain a source
of microbial growth.
Information on the types of water-damaged materials that
should be discarded are provided in Step 4, Dry Out Your
Home, of the American Red Cross/FEMA booklet,
Repairing Your Flooded Home
The booklet suggests that you may be able to dry out and
save certain building materials (for example, wallboard,
fiberglass insulation, and wall-to-wall carpeting that were
soaked only with clean rainwater). You may, however,
want to consider removing and replacing them to avoid
indoor air quality problems. Because they take a long time
to dry, they may be a source of microbial growth. For
information on mold prevention and cleanup, visit
www.epa.gov/mold.
In addition, fiberboard, fibrous insulation, and disposable
filters should be replaced, if they are present in your
heating and air conditioning system and have contacted
water. (If a filter was designed to be cleaned with water
and was in contact with clean rainwater only, ensure that it
is thoroughly cleaned before reinstalling.)
Avoid Problems from the Use of Cleaners and
Disinfectants
The cleanup process involves thorough washing and
disinfecting of the walls, floors, closets, shelves, and
contents of the house. In most cases, common household
cleaning products and disinfectants are used for this task.
FEMA also suggests the use of disinfectants and
sanitizers on the ductwork for the heating and air
conditioning system, if it has been flooded.
Disinfectants and sanitizers contain toxic substances. The
ability of chemicals in other household products used for
cleaning to cause health effects varies greatly, from those
with no known health effect to those that are highly toxic.
Read and follow label instructions carefully, and provide
fresh air by opening windows and doors. If it is safe for you
to use electricity and the home is dry, use fans both during
and after the use of disinfecting, cleaning, and sanitizing
products.
Be careful about mixing household cleaners and
disinfectants together. Check labels for cautions on this.
Mixing certain types of products can produce toxic fumes
and result in injury and even death.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas that
can be lethal at high levels. Carbon monoxide levels can
build up rapidly if certain types of combustion devices (for
example, gasoline-powered generators, camp stoves and
lanterns, or charcoal-burning devices) are used indoors.
Do not use combustion devices designed for outdoor use
indoors.
Avoid Problems from Airborne Asbestos and
Lead Dust
Elevated concentrations of airborne asbestos can occur if
asbestos-containing materials present in the home are
disturbed. Airborne asbestos can cause lung cancer and
mesothelioma, a cancer of the chest and abdominal
linings. If you know or suspect that your home contains
asbestos, contact the EPA TSCA Assistance Information
Service at (202) 554-1404 for information on steps you
should take to avoid exposure.
Lead is a highly toxic metal which produces a range of
adverse health effects, particularly in young children.
Disturbance or removal of materials containing lead-based
paint may result in elevated concentration of lead dust in
the air. If you know or suspect that your home contains
lead-based paint, contact the National Lead Information
Center to receive a general information packet, to order
other documents, or for detailed information or questions.
Call and speak with a specialist Monday through Friday,
8:00 am to 6:00 pm eastern time (except Federal holidays)
at 1 (800) 424-LEAD [5323].
Additional Information
EPA's website on natural disasters: Flooding -
www.epa.gov/naturaldisasters/flooding.html
The Federal Emergency Management Agency's Flood
website - www.fema.gov/hazards/floods/
Publications are available from:
FEMA - www.fema.gov
Jessup, MD 20794-2012
Phone: 800-480-2520/Fax: 301-362-5335
American Lung Association's Fact Sheet on Flood Clean-
up - www.Iungusa.org/air/flood_factsheet99.html
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Key Facts About
Hurricane Recovery -
www.bt.cdc.gov/hurricanes/index.asp
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