Water Damaged Properties Can Result in Building Occupant Illnesses

Countless schools, businesses and homes have suffered water damage due to heavy rains, flooding or plumbing problems at some point.  After a water damaging event occurs, one of the first tasks a tenant or property owner faces is drying out the building. 
 
Many people are not aware that water damage can not only result in damaged belongings and possible structural damage, but also create an unhealthy environment for the building’s occupants.  Depending on the water source, it may contain microbial contaminants and various chemicals.    Even water damage due to clean water, known as Category 1 Water, can result in mold growth in as short as 24 hours. 
 
Category 2 Water, also known as Grey Water, typically contains a significant amount of biological, chemical, or physical contaminants that can cause sickness when humans are exposed or if it is accidently consumed.  Category 2 Water, that is not promptly removed or has remained stagnant for 48–72 hours, may at times be reclassified as Category 3 Water.   
 
Category 3 Water, also known as Black Water, is grossly contaminated. It may contain harmful pathogens, microbes, and chemicals that could cause illness. Sources include sewage, rising water from natural sources, ground surface water or standing water.
 
“Water damage due to any water incursion can bring a host of contaminants into a building, or provide an environment for microbes to multiply that could cause health concerns for a building’s occupants,” reported Bruce Jacobs, CIH, President of IAQ Index, a mold and indoor air quality test kit provider.  “Chemicals in flood waters can release volatile organic compounds, known as VOCs, and any moisture can result in mold growth that can trigger asthma attacks, allergies, and even result in infections in susceptible individuals.  To help people determine if a property has indoor air quality problems, IAQ Index has developed a series of test kits that are affordable, easy to use and simple to understand.” 
 
An online video discussing how mold and other indoor air quality contaminants can be detected utilizing test kits developed by IAQ Index can be seen at:
http://youtu.be/_Zzav8NbPcc 
 
To learn more about testing for mold and other indoor air quality (IAQ) issues, please visit IAQ Index at http://www.IAQIndex.com, email info@IAQIndex.com or call (888) 259-3883.
 
About IAQ Index
IAQ Index was developed by a Certified Industrial Hygienist with decades of experience dealing with indoor air quality issues.  IAQ Index was developed as a health-based, easy-to-understand, air quality index that is calculated from data generated for various parameters commonly measured during IAQ surveys.  The approach is similar to the EPA’s Air Quality Index that has been used historically to communicate the risks posed by common pollutants in the ambient air.

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

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