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Michelle Fanucchi, Ph.D., associate professor in Environmental Health Sciences

  • Drinking water contamination
    • drinking water and water sanitation facilities are likely inoperable or overwhelmed
    • Flood water may be contaminated with oil, gasoline or raw sewage 
    • Drink, cook and wash with bottled water only.
  • Returning home: service damaged septic tanks, cesspools or leaching systems immediately to mitigate continued contamination.
  • Contamination of household items during flooding
    • Any item that contacted floodwater should be disinfected (with bleach) and completely dried. This includes canned/bottled food items.
    • The mud from flood waters may contain sewage and chemicals.
  • Media contact: Alicia Rohan, (205)975-7515, [email protected]