Lower Respiratory Symptoms Associated With Environmental and Reconstruction Exposures After Hurricane Sandy

Abstract

This study provides evidence that post-hurricane clean-up and reconstruction exposures can increase the risk for LRS. Public health interventions should emphasize the importance of safe remediation practices and recommend use of personal protective equipment. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018;page 1 of 6).

Impact of weather and climate change with indoor and outdoor air quality in asthma: A Work Group Report of the AAAAI Environmental Exposure and Respiratory Health Committee

“…Survey data collected from persons who participated in the environmental and reconstruction efforts after Hurricane Sandy (2012; New Jersey/ New York) demonstrated that more than one third of participants (34.4%) reported post-Sandy lower respiratory tract symptoms. 47 Furthermore, there was a dose-response relationship between the number of types of Sandy-related exposures reported and post-Sandy lower respiratory tract symptoms. 47 During the recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina, it was demonstrated that the use of elastomeric respirators (ie, tight-fitting, air-purifying respirators with replaceable filters or cartridges attached to a rubber or silicone face piece) performed better than N95 respirators to reduce exposure levels to endotoxins and molds in remediation workers, 42 which is valuable information that can be applied to future events.…”

“…47 Furthermore, there was a dose-response relationship between the number of types of Sandy-related exposures reported and post-Sandy lower respiratory tract symptoms. 47 During the recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina, it was demonstrated that the use of elastomeric respirators (ie, tight-fitting, air-purifying respirators with replaceable filters or cartridges attached to a rubber or silicone face piece) performed better than N95 respirators to reduce exposure levels to endotoxins and molds in remediation workers, 42 which is valuable information that can be applied to future events. Most recently, in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico (2017), the Associated Press reported an increase in asthma and asthma severity that could be attributed to increased use of diesel-or gasoline-powered generators, high mold counts, and increased problems with rodents and cockroaches in damaged homes.…”

Powerless in the Virgin Islands: Emergency Department and Wound Care Clinic Utilization Following the 2017 Hurricanes Irma and Maria on St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

“…42,43 The increase in visits among this population may represent the prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and allergy cases, which were reported in previous studies to be aggravated by the storms, 6,14,26,27,44 and may also reflect visits among a population more likely engaged in home repairs and outdoor activities in the period between and after the storms. Previous studies show patients with respiratory complications, [17][18][19]24,26,27,30,45,46 and allergies, 47 were at an increased risk during hurricanes, and the risks were closely associated with environmental exposures. 45 In a study examining ED utilization rates associated with 7 hurricanes across 9 states, respiratory conditions and injuries accounted for the increased ED visits among middleaged individuals.…”

Hurricane María drives increased indoor proliferation of filamentous fungi in San Juan, Puerto Rico: a two-year culture-based approach

“…Taking these factors into consideration, the extensive flooding caused by Hurricane María in PR had the potential to provide a favorable environment for fungal proliferation indoors in homes with water damage. Several studies have evaluated the effects of Hurricanes on airborne fungi in the United States, with the most common fungi isolated being Aspergillus , Penicillium and Cladosporium ( CDC, 2006 ; Chew et al, 2006 ; Rao et al, 2007 ; Schwab et al, 2007 ; Rabito et al, 2008 ; Saporta & Hurst, 2017 ; Gargano et al, 2018 ; Chow et al, 2019 ; Kontoyiannis et al, 2019 ). Although PR has been affected by more than 15 Hurricanes and tropical storms since the 1980’s, the effect of these natural disasters on the concentration and composition of indoor airborne fungi has not yet been studied.…”