Sorting Hurricane Debris Can Help Clean Up Communities

AUSTIN, Texas -- As families begin cleaning up after Hurricane Ike, state and federal officials offer directions on how to carefully pre-sort their household debris to help cleanup and disposal efforts.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) are partners in the disaster recovery, with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Texas Governor's Division of Emergency Management.

"The first recommendation we have is to follow the guidelines in your community," said Federal Coordinating Officer Sandy Coachman.

"The debris created by a hurricane has unique challenges," State Coordinating Officer Joan Haun added. "We want everyone to help clean up and start getting neighborhoods back to normal, and we want them to do it safely."

Texas residents should separate their household debris in piles as follows:

* Household garbage - bagged trash, discarded food;
* Construction debris - wood, drywall, carpet, furniture;
* Household hazardous waste - motor oil, batteries, bug sprays;
* Vegetation debris - tree branches, leaves, logs;
* "White" goods - refrigerators, washers and dryers, air conditioners;
* Electronics - televisions, radios, computers;
* Orphan containers - butane or propane tanks, chlorine cylinders.

If possible, residents should clearly mark debris containers before disposing. To prevent spills, leaking containers should be placed in plastic bags. Household hazardous waste should never be poured down drains or storm sewers.

If your community offers curbside pick up, please leave all household debris at the curbside. Do not leave debris leaning against trees or poles or on private property, as this makes it harder to retrieve the debris.

If your community does not offer curbside pick up, please contact your local waste disposal agency for instructions.

Once household debris is gathered, it will be processed for final disposal.

For information on local environmental regulations go to http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/

For EPA information on hurricane response, visit: http://www.epa.gov/hurricanes

More information about the Texas Hurricane Ike disaster is available at http://www.fema.gov/

FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

Source: http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/0/0BC408BC588886F7852574D700772FDD

EPA Provides Water Well Precautions and Actions

Release date: 09/18/2008

(Dallas, Texas – September 18, 2008) Homeowners with water wells need to take special precautions and actions in the aftermath of hurricanes. What follows is a "how to" concerning the steps homeowners should take to ensure a safe return to water well operation. Because of the extensive flood area and the speed and direction of ground water flow, your well may not be a safe source of water for many months after the flood. The well can become contaminated with bacteria or other contaminants.Waste water from malfunctioning septic tanks or chemicals seeping into the ground can contaminate the ground water even after the water was tested and found to be safe. It will be necessary to take long range precautions, including repeated testing, to protect the safety of drinking water.

For remainder of press release please visit the source: http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/324e040292e1e51f85257359003f533a/9f01a66fa1df931e852574c800621c67!OpenDocument

EPA Issues Notice to Galveston Residents

Attention Returning Galveston Residents

Release date: 09/23/2008
Contact Information: Dave Bary or Tressa Tillman at 214-665-2200 or Francisco Arcaute at 213-798-1404 or r6press@epa.gov

(Dallas, Texas – September 23, 2008) Before drinking, cooking or brushing teeth, the Environmental Protection Agency recommends these water precautions for residents returning to Galveston:
a) If possible, use bottled water that hasn’t been exposed to floodwaters;
b) If none is available, boil water. For cloudy water, filter with a cloth; draw off the clear water and boil for one minute. Then store in a clean container with a cover;
c) If you can’t boil water, add 1/8 of a teaspoon of household bleach for each gallon of water. Stir well, and let it stand 30 minutes before using.
d) Pay attention to local authorities, who will announce when it is safe to use and drink water or flush toilets.

EPA has several recorded public service announcements (PSAs) offering safety tips on how to safely operate a generator, how to properly use household cleaners, how to handle and dispose of hazardous materials, and how to safely deal with asbestos and mold, among other useful information. To listen to these PSAs or to learn more information on how to respond to disasters, please visit http://www.epa.gov/hurricane.For more information about EPA, go to http://www.epa.gov/region6.

Source: http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/0/dc16a9e4257d2b6a852574cd005ce11f?OpenDocument

Fact Sheet on Natural Disaster Recovery: Fungi

OSHA.gov - Flood conditions contribute to the growth and transmission of many kinds of fungi, some of which can cause sickness. Cleanup workers are at increased risk of exposure to airborne fungi and their spores because they often handle moldy building materials, decaying vegetable matter, rotting waste material, and other fungus-contaminated debris. The fungal material is carried into the respiratory tract when airborne dust particles are inhaled.

There are many different kinds of fungi, including mildew, molds, rusts, and yeasts. Most of these are harmless, but some can cause respiratory and other disorders when workers inhale or come into contact with fungi. Inhalation is the route of exposure of most concern to flood cleanup workers. The recommendations below offer strategies for workers renovating flooded buildings, homes, and structures to protect themselves while handling building materials that are visibly contaminated with fungi.

For workers cleaning up flooded buildings, homes, and other structures, excessive moisture or water accumulation indoors will encourage the growth of the fungi that are already present. Some fungi have the potential to cause adverse health effects such as allergic responses and asthma attacks. Individual who are sensitive to molds may have signs and symptoms of allergic reactions such as nasal stuffiness, eye irritation, and wheezing. These individuals should minimize fungal exposure by wearing respirators, gloves, and eye protection. They should also seek to eliminate fungi, as described below.

See source document by http://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/fungi.html