Water Damage and Children’s Illnesses

What water damage can do to a child’s health

Water damage and flooding in general can negatively affect a child’s health. It is important that flooding be fully and professionally dealt with to eradicate the many health problems that both children and adults can encounter.

Water damage can be very detrimental to a child’s health and well-being. (Photo Credits)

In their official website, the United States Environmental Protection Agency or EPA emphasized that children’s health will always be at risk during flooding incidents and so precautionary measures should be carefully observed. Molds for instance can pose a lot of dangers to a child’s health. 24 Hour Super Dry Water Damage Restoration Service

“After homes have been flooded, moisture can remain in drywall, wood furniture, cloth, carpet, and other household items and surfaces and can lead to mold growth. Exposure to mold can cause hay-fever-like reactions (such as stuffy nose, red, watery or itchy eyes, sneezing) to asthma attacks. It is important to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth. Buildings wet for more than 48 hours will generally contain visible and extensive mold growth. Some children are more susceptible than others to mold, especially those with allergies, asthma and other respiratory conditions. To protect your child from mold exposure, you can clean smooth, hard surfaces such as metal and plastics with soap and water and dry thoroughly.”

Read the rest of the article here.

Same warning against mold and children’s health

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also published a similar warning in their website about molds and children’s health. Molds, can be a result of both residential flooding, and flooding coming from outside the home. Santee Restoration

“Other recent studies have suggested a potential link of early mold exposure to development of asthma in some children, particularly among children who may be genetically susceptible to asthma development, and that selected interventions that improve housing conditions can reduce morbidity from asthma and respiratory allergies, but more research is needed in this regard. A link between other adverse health effects, such as acute idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhage among infants, memory loss, or lethargy, and molds, including the mold Stachybotrys chartarum (Stachybotrys atra), has not been proven. Further studies are needed to find out what causes acute idiopathic hemorrhage and other adverse health effects.”

More can be found here.

Not just the usual sniffles

Parents.com meanwhile warned its readers to not just brush off persistent symptoms that appear on children especially if they live in homes affected by flooding. How to hire the best flood service company

“You may brush off your child’s sniffles at this time of year as a bit of hay fever, but pay attention to whether he reacts in specific locations, like the basement or outside after you’ve mowed, and also if his symptoms persist beyond spring pollen season (generally March to June). If your pediatrician thinks that mold may be the culprit, she’ll probably refer you to an allergist for testing. The allergist will lightly prick your child’s skin with a needle containing common allergens and watch for a hive-like reaction.”

The original article can be found here.

Children’s health can be severely affected by flooding. It is important to fully ensure that moisture is fully removed from the home, and that adequate sanitation and disinfection have taken place before re-occupying the flooded home. How to Sanitize and Disinfect Water Damaged Kitchen wares

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