In fact, one can get quite sick from continuous exposure to such an environment. The question of whether water damage can make you sick is a common question from many homeowners who have experienced this problem. While it is true that real water damage itself will not cause disease, many of the factors associated with it can cause serious health problems. The first point to consider is the fact that water that causes property damage is often contaminated with biological agents, such as bacteria and other dangerous microbes.
This poses a health risk to people who are exposed to these factors. Another major health hazard associated with water damage is mold. It is a problem that commonly accompanies water damage and can lead to significant health problems for people who are exposed to it. With these points in mind, we've gathered important information homeowners need to know about how water damage can affect their health.
Your house may be making you sick. Smaller leaks inside the walls of your property can provide the perfect environment for mold growth, while also making you sick and causing costly structural damage. While CDC confirms that the United States,. It has one of the safest public water systems in the world, it is still possible to get sick from tap water.
Coli or salmonella bacteria in the water you eat can cause flu-like symptoms including stomach cramps, diarrhea, or vomiting. These two bacteria are among the 10 most common outbreaks in the U.S. UU. In most cases, the symptoms of these outbreaks go away on their own, but pregnant women, elderly residents and children are more susceptible to serious side effects that may warrant hospitalization.
Some of the symptoms and health effects are mild, but they can also be aggravated. Chronic wheezing and coughing are common symptoms, as are respiratory problems. Patients have reported sneezing, watery eyes, and sore throat. Some people may experience chronic fatigue and skin rashes.
In the most severe cases, black mold is believed to be a major factor in contracting pneumonia. Floodwaters may contain harmful bacteria and microbes that can make you sick and stay in your belongings. Toxins, chemicals, and contaminants remain on water-damaged furniture long after it has dried. Leave the water in your house too long and mold, insects and fungi will appear.
They can worsen your allergies, cause respiratory infections, and aggravate a host of other health problems. If your business has been damaged by a flood, broken pipes, or leaks of any kind, then you know how devastating water damage can be. Water reaches everywhere, and even when pumped or dried, water damage is often still present on the ceiling, walls and floors. You may not realize it, but in addition to being unattractive, this type of damage can be very dangerous to your health and that of your employees and customers.
If you get water from a private well, you are responsible for having the water tested to make sure there are no pesticides. Not only does this contaminated water adversely affect nearby wildlife, but it can also seep into the public water supply and cause problems with your home's drinking water. A heavy-duty water pump, flood pumping pump or industrial wet vacuum is the most effective way to remove a large amount of standing water. After that, it may be too late to buy or rent the equipment you need to avoid irreversible water damage or alleviate unhealthy living conditions.
There are many common bacteria found in tap water, but in most cases, public water companies meet standards set through the SDWA. A 2004 study by the Institute of Medicine found clear evidence that indoor exposure to mold caused by water damage can adversely affect people's health. The company may suggest that you use an alternative water source if the water is unsafe for a period of time. The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) was passed by Congress in 1974 and enforces drinking water standards by setting limits on levels of harmful contaminants such as lead and disinfectants.
If your water supply comes from a public water system, the EPA sets some regulations in these companies to ensure that pesticide levels are kept low. If you have water damage in your business, you should call a professional to have it evaluated and determine if there is mold. If it's a water quality report that isn't ideal, Marinaccio says, “You'll probably need a whole house reverse osmosis filter to deal with what your water company is throwing at you.”. Whether the leak comes from a hole in the roof or from a problem with the pipes, mold and bacteria growth can begin within 24 to 48 hours after moisture enters, although you may not notice immediate water damage.
From plumbing leaks, septic tanks, or sewage backup to large-scale natural disasters, water damage can endanger your health if you don't face it right away. When preparing for a flood, you have a much better chance of quickly applying remediation techniques, thus reducing water damage and the possibility of associated diseases. . .
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