What do you know about hazardous waste?: Hazardous Debris After Hurricanes

Hurricanes bring out the worst in hazardous waste. Flooding takes out power lines and other electrical equipment, overloads sewage and storm drains, brakes buildings, releases dangerous animals, causes gas leaks (storage tanks, etc.), releases/picks up harmful chemicals and substances like lead, batteries, or e-coli, and more. Anything in and around town is up for grabs by the tempestuous waves of water collecting every bit of garbage, every leak or spill, and making the water absolutely unsafe to swim in or drink.

Can you imagine a day without water?

No water for drinking, washing hands, taking a shower, flushing the toilet, cooking, etc. Is your neighborhood prepared for a day+ without water?

We all know water is essential to life, human health, and our economy. Natural disasters like tornadoes, floods, and hurricanes, along with old infrastructure among other things can really destroy a communities chances for getting back on its feet. Being prepared as a community and having an action plan will provide better chances for rapid recovery.

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Is it safe?

How do I know whether my water is drinkable or not?

If it is contaminated, it should not be used for drinking, washing, making ice, brushing teeth, washing or preparing food, etc. Many boil water until they are certain that harmful microorganisms are removed. How do contaminants (germs and chemicals) get into my drinking water? Since there are many, I will only list the most common sources of contaminants (pollutants):

Naturally occurring chemicals and minerals (e.g. arsenic, radon, uranium, excessive sediments)
Local land use practices (fertilizers, pesticides, livestock, etc.)
Manufacturing processes
Sewer overflows
Malfunctioning wastewater treatment systems (e.g. nearby septic systems)

Many contaminants that are harmful to human health are regulated by the U.S. EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). They pretty much put a limit on what can be polluted, but it is always higher than the actual amount or concentration that could harm us.

Dealing with debris and broken buildings is almost anyone's job, but along with the National Guard, the Red Cross, and amazing people all over the United States, the EPA is also heavily involved as there is an environmental degradation issue. We as citizens also have a responsibility. We may not be able to control mother nature, but we can prevent the majority of contamination issues as a result of precipitation and hurricanes.

For example, Hurricane Sandy stirred up pollution and debris that not only threatened human health, but also the coastal waters, which is another ecosystem in and of itself. Many of these sites turn into Superfund sites, where the government comes in and cleans up this "toxic soup" of a mess. Surprisingly, sediments are one of the top pollutants. Have you ever thought or heard of that? Well it is easy to understand when you think about how much we have altered the land's surface. With deforestation, farming practices, urbanization, etc. more soil erosion is occurring and more sediments get dumped into our streams and rivers and eventually the ocean. Sediment particles are very good at adsorbing chemicals on their surfaces and carrying them down to be dumped into the Gulf of Mexico or the Chesapeake Bay (for example).