In the floods that left more than 150 dead in Rio Grande do Sul, the number of people temporarily living in shelters in the state reached 80 thousand (80,826), according to the most recent bulletin from the state Civil Defense. Even if the waters of the rivers and lakes involved recede, great care must be taken when returning home, as they can pose numerous risks to the health and safety of residents.
According to the professor of the Occupational Safety Technician course at Senac EAD, Roberto Mopert, every return home after a flood requires a lot of attention and a series of specific precautions, as waste on site, water invasion and impacts Structural, emotional and financial can be devastating.
In the case of rural environments and houses, the expert highlights that there may be contamination due to chemical products used as pesticides and possible contamination due to the number of dead and decomposing animals in the water. In the case of environments and houses close to industries or commercial areas, Mopert remembers that there are companies that transform and generate electrical energy, tools that can cause sharp injuries, chemical products (paints, gasoline, diesel, corrosives), tanks, barrels , gas cylinders, foods of plant and animal origin decomposing in water, which generate toxic, asphyxiating and flammable gases. “It is extremely important to be very careful about these additional dangers and risks”, he comments.
Because it is a major catastrophe, the professor highlights that points such as hospitals, sewers, landfills, funeral homes and even cemeteries were affected. “These locations further aggravate concerns about water contamination, not to mention human victims and decomposing animals. After the waters subside and people return to their homes whether authorized or not, countless microorganisms (viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites) will be present in the environment (in the air, in the mud, on objects, on clothes, mattresses, walls , toys, kitchen utensils, that is, everywhere)”.
Among the diseases caused by microorganisms, the specialist cites diarrhea, intestinal infections, hepatitis A, dermatitis and skin infections (bacterial and viral), tetanus (bearing in mind that punctures can occur with the tips of bars, wires, wood, nails, tiles and household utensils), respiratory diseases (asthma, pneumonia and respiratory allergies due to exposure to mold), infectious diseases (leptospirosis and dengue), contamination by chemicals present in water (domestic or industrial), which can be inhaled, ingested or absorbed through the pores of the skin or due to poor hand hygiene, injuries caused by hitting objects hidden in the water or due to the location having a lack of light, etc.
In this sense, it is important to follow the recommendation of official bodies: “As much as it may seem contradictory at the moment, it is important to always follow the guidelines and determinations of public security and civil defense agents involved in this emergency, as in most cases they have information that the common population does not have. Before returning to the residence, it is mandatory to have the release of these organs, as, in the midst of an early return, there may be an accident of collapse, burial, landslide or even collapse of the residence, as floods have strong currents and carry away everything ahead”, he highlights.
The professor also lists some safety questions to ask before returning, even if he is officially released:
- In the neighborhood where I have my house, are looting and/or robberies taking place? If so, do I need to expose myself to this situation? Is there police or the presence of state security agents?
- Is the location free to access? If so, how will I access it? On foot? By car? Of boat? Do I need to go up? Do I need to get down? Do I need to jump into something? If the environment changes and there is a problem, how do I get out of that problem?
- The house is free to access. Has it been inspected? If yes, by whom? Was he a qualified professional with experience and technical knowledge?
- Does my house or neighborhood already have electricity? If so, has the street already been cleared by the energy distribution company? If there is energy and it has not been released, is there a possibility of an electric shock? Has my house been evaluated by a qualified and qualified electrical professional?
- Are there already points with drinking water? Otherwise, is there a way to stay healthy there? How will I clean the place, my food and my personal hygiene?
- Do I have the physical and mental conditions to return to my home? When I return, how will I feed myself?
- Do I have dry clothes? Where will I clean my clothes? How will I reconcile returning home with my own survival?
- Do I need to use continuous medications? Do I have these medications? Can I use them at the right time?
- In the case, for example, of insulin, where will I store it? How will I apply the syringe and needle? Will I do this in an environment full of contamination?
- Do I have the financial means or the donation of utensils and hygiene chemicals to disinfect my home well?
- Do I have personal protective equipment, such as gloves, masks, waterproof clothing, boots and protective glasses, to carry out this cleaning, which will be somewhat intense and will expose me to many contaminants, mainly respiratory and skin-borne contaminants? Remembering that I will be exposed to everything in the environment, especially venomous animals, hence the importance of the equipment mentioned above.
- After cleaning, will I be able to have a period of rest with lighting, ventilation and attention?
- When carrying out the inspection and cleaning of all rooms, will I be able to have a detailed visual inspection of the physical structure of all rooms, looking for cracks and possibilities of structural collapse, as well as infiltrations and holes?
Finally, Mopert highlights that we cannot forget the problems that sometimes are not seen, are not externalized, or are not made evident, no matter how evident they may be. “An urgent and continuous approach and assessment by professionals in the field of psychology, psychiatry and social assistance is needed, as we have had countless material, human and memory losses, such as photos and belongings, which were rich in strong feelings and, this must be taken in consideration. Failure to treat early can worsen existing mental disorders, highlight those that just need a trigger or develop psychosomatic problems late in people who are not used to expressing themselves”, he concludes.
In the event of an emergency when it is possible to return home after the floods, the contact number for the Civil Defense of the state of Rio Grande do Sul is 199.
