Harvey floodwaters carry high levels of E coli, toxins

Precautions needed when returning to flooded buildings, public health experts said


Tests have shown that floodwaters in two Houston areas have been contaminated with bacteria and toxins, according to an article on The New York Times website.

It is not clear how far the toxic waters have spread, but there have been breaches at numerous waste treatment plants.

Water flowing down Briarhills Parkway in the Houston Energy Corridor contained Escherichia coli, a measure of fecal contamination, at a level more than four times that considered safe.

The E.P.A. and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality have expressed concern about toxic floodwaters, but have not made public the results of sampling they may have done.

Read the article.

 

 



September 18, 2017


Topic Area: Infection Control


Recent Posts

Life Sciences and Healthcare: Reshaping Institutional Design

Examining the way leaders address the increased pressures and prolonged project timelines can reveal best practices and delivery models.


Arnprior Regional Health Upgrades Building Controls to Improve IEQ

Case study: They wanted to improve the hospital facility’s IEQ to support patient care and reduce long-term operating costs.


Oregon Health & Science University Opens Vista Pavilion

Vista immediately adds 128 new inpatient beds; once it is fully built out, it will expand OHSU Hospital’s capacity by about one-third.


The Growing Crisis in Rural Healthcare Facilities

Outdated buildings, reactive planning and complex funding are forcing rural leaders to rethink their strategies.


A Cleaning Alternative: The Benefits of Steam Technology

Cleaning is essential in healthcare facilities, but traditional disinfectants have harmful chemicals. Researchers say that steam technology may be the solution.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

 
 
 
 

Healthcare Facilities Today membership includes free email newsletters from our facility-industry brands.

Facebook   Twitter   LinkedIn   Posts

Copyright © 2023 TradePress. All rights reserved.