Effects of water-damaged homes after flooding: health status of the residents and the environmental risk factors

Abstract

We evaluated the health status of residents and the environmental risk factors of housing after flooding. Questionnaires were distributed to 595 selected households (one adult resident per household) in six areas in Japan which were severely flooded between 2004 and 2010. A total of 379 responses were obtained. Indoor dampness and visible mold growth significantly increased in homes with greater flood damage. The incidence of respiratory, dermal, ocular, and nasal symptoms one week after flooding was significantly higher in flooded homes compared with non-flooded homes, the incidence of psychological disorders was significantly high for six months after flooding, and the incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder was significantly high six months after flooding. Significant risk factors for respiratory and nasal symptoms included proximity to industrial and waste incineration plants. Our results suggest that rapid action should be taken after flooding to ensure adequate public health and environmental hygiene in the water-damaged homes.

Climate Change–Related Water Disasters’ Impact on Population Health

“…The rates of psychological distress and PTSD remained higher among people in flooded homes compared to those in nonflooded homes up to 6 months after the incident. Depression symptoms, for example, were eight times higher among people in flooded homes (Azuma et al., ).…”

Building dampness and mold in European homes in relation to climate, building characteristics and socio-economic status: The European Community Respiratory Health Survey ECRHS II

“…In this context, the global warming might have consequences for outdoor and indoor environment and might have consequences for human health in many ways, including respiratory and allergic disease . The global warming may increase the building dampness and mold growth and increase the risk for flooding …”

Indoor environmental problems and health status in water-damaged homes due to tsunami disaster in Japan

“…Our study indicated that the results for PTSD were not significant after flooding by giant tsunami. In the results of our previous study in Japan, significant impacts of PTSD six months after flooding was reported [2]. Many participants in investigated areas could remain living in their own home after the occurrence of giant tsunami disaster.…”

“…In addition, the association between adverse health effect and influencing factors related to water-damaged conditions was discussed through a multivariable logistic regression analysis. The authors already have conducted a questionnaire survey in the water-damaged homes of six river flooding areas of Japan to evaluate the health status of residents and the environmental risk factors after river floods [2]. In this paper, the survey after coastal floods associated with giant tsunami was designed by applying an investigation protocol of the previous study, and the outcomes from this survey could be compared with the knowledge of a previous investigation in Japan.…”