While skin contact with floodwater does not, by itself, pose a serious health risk, emergency response personnel and the public should avoid direct contact with standing water when possible to minimize the chance for infection. The most likely symptoms from an infection are stomach-ache, fever, vomiting and diarrhea.

After Hurricane Katrina, floodwaters were found to contain bacteria from human and animal wastes. Chemical contamination of floodwaters can also occur and contamination levels may be higher nearer to sources such as industrial locations.

Work in and around moving or standing water in flooded areas presents a risk of drowning. Standing or working in water that is cooler than 75º F will remove body heat more rapidly than it can be replaced, resulting in hypothermia.

Double gloving with a waterproof glove under a heavy work glove is the best way to protect the hands from both cuts and scrapes and floodwater exposure.

Boots and rain gear can be used to prevent lower body skin exposures. It is important to minimize contaminating the inside of the gloves. Gloves not disposed of should be cleaned with soap and water and dried between uses.

Floodwaters are associated with strong odors, but NIOSH’s preliminary estimates and disease outbreak tracking do not suggest the need for a general recommendation for default respirator use by all personnel.

As with all emergency operations, site specific information should be used to tailor recommendations to the hazards and exposures at hand. For example, use of N95 respirators might be advisable adjacent to aerated floodwater where mists are created–such as potential tasks associated with repair of pumping facilities or discharge pipes. CDC will provide additional updates as more information becomes available.

Avoid working alone and wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket or buoyant work vest when entering flood waters or working over or near flood waters.

Wearing wet gloves or PPE can cause dermal irritation. Long exposures to wet conditions can compromise the function of the skin barrier. Repeated use of impermeable gloves, especially in hot and humid conditions, can aggravate skin rashes. Cotton liners are sometimes used under protective gloves to improve comfort and to prevent dermatitis. Latex gloves should be avoided because of the risk of developing skin sensitivity or allergy.

Open wounds and skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis may increase your risk of infection. Contamination of wounds with water (fresh or sea water) can lead to infections caused by waterborne organisms. See: http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/emergwoundhcp.asp.

If skin contact with floodwaters does occur, CDC strongly advises the use of soap and water to clean exposed areas. Waterless alcohol-based hand rubs can be used when soap or clean water is not available. Hands should be washed after removal of gloves.

There is a wide range of damage, work scenarios, and tasks associated with hurricane response, and exposure assessments are not yet available. Local information should be used to tailor recommendations to the hazards and exposures at hand. Firefighters and others involved with responding to fires should use appropriate respiratory protection. Post fire clean-up operations occurring at industrial or chemical facilities may warrant use of protective equipment.

As conditions dry out, there is some likelihood that demolition operations may generate dust exposures for construction and restoration workers. It is likely that other special tasks (e.g. welding and cutting) may generate airborne hazards and that respiratory protection will be needed. CDC will provide additional updates as more information becomes available.

Electrical, overhead power lines, power junctions, and downed electrical wires and cables can cause electrocution and burns. Fallen lines can also energize other objects such as fences, ladders, or metal building parts. Use of improperly sized or operated portable generators during electrical outages can also cause “backfeed” injuries to workers performing repair work in neighboring buildings. Only trained electricians and utility workers should approach or handle electrical lines. All other response workers should avoid going near all downed lines and should treat them as if energized.

General PPE Recommendations: Special electrically resistant PPE including headgear, gloves, boots, and appropriate eye protection are used by electricians and utility workers. Special electrical PPE is only one aspect of electrical safety practice. Special training and practices to test, de-energize, isolate, and/or lockout hazardous energy sources are important.

There is no direct risk of contagion or infectious disease from being near human remains for people who are not directly involved in recovery or other efforts that require handling dead bodies. However, workers who must have direct contact with human remains can be exposed to bloodborne pathogens.

Blood, bloody fluids, body fluids, and tissues are potential sources of bloodborne infections from pathogens including Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV. Exposures to medical providers and responders may occur via a cut or puncture wound; through mucous membranes (eye, nose, mouth); and through non-intact skin (dermatitis/rashes, injuries, abrasions). FSM