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During cleanup from a weather-related disaster, many problems may overwhelm you. Failure to remove contaminated materials and to reduce moisture and humidity can present serious long-term health risks. Downed electric wires. 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 a flood.
These pages discuss typical environmental and health issues that arise during disaster cleanup and the steps you can take to lessen these effects. Although the information contained here emphasizes residential cleanup, it is also applicable to other types of buildings.