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Sep 6, 2017 · The fact that disaster debris may not be subject to federal hazardous waste management standards does not mean the waste is not hazardous or will pose no risk to human health or safety or the environment. State agencies responsible for managing disaster debris can face a number of challenges in managing disaster debris quickly and safely.
- Planning
- Cleanup
- General Cautions When Re-Entering Damaged Homes and Buildings
- Contacts
- Avoid Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
- Avoid Problems from Mold, Bacteria, Or Insects
- Avoid Problems from The Use of Cleaners, Disinfectants, and Pesticides
- Avoid Problems from Airborne Asbestos and Lead Dust
- Properly Dispose of Waste
- Guidance For Structurally Unsound Buildings
Sometimes local governments must respond to disasters that destroy large numbers of homes or buildings. They may need to demolish partially destroyed homes and manage disaster debris. If your community does not have a disaster debris management plan, they may want to consider developing one. Read more about disaster debris planning. Disaster Debris...
Cleanup activities related to returning to homes and businesses after a disaster can pose significant health and environmental challenges. People can be exposed to potentially life-threatening hazards from leaking natural gas lines, and carbon monoxide poisoning from using un-vented fuel-burning equipment indoors. During a flood cleanup, failure to...
When citizens are authorized by local authorities to return to their homes and businesses, federal authorities urge people to take the following precautions : Be on the alert for leaking containers and reactive household chemicals, such as caustic drain cleaners or chlorine bleach. Take the following necessary precautions to prevent injury or furth...
Federal, state and local personnel are often deployed to affected areas to establish debris-management programs, including household hazardous waste collection and disposal programs. These efforts may take days or weeks to come to all communities. In the meantime, EPA urges the public to exercise caution and report concerns to local environmental, ...
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas that is produced when any fuel is burned and that can kill you. 1. ALERT: Generator exhaust is toxic. Always put generators outside well away from doors, windows, crawlspaces, orand vents. Never use a generator inside homes, garages, crawl spaces, sheds, or similar areas. Carbon monoxide (CO) is dea...
Standing water is a breeding ground for a wide range of micro-organisms and insects, such as mosquitoes. Mosquitoes can spread diseases such as West Nile Virus. Micro-organisms, including bacteria or mold, can become airborne and be inhaled. Where floodwater might be contaminated, infectious disease is of concern. 1. Remove standing water as quickl...
Disinfectants, sanitizers, and other pesticides can contain toxic and potentially hazardous substances. 1. Read and follow all label instructions carefully. 2. Do not mix cleaners and disinfectants or use them together. Combinations of some types of substances can be deadly. 3. Keep all household products locked, out of sight, and out of reach of c...
Elevated concentrations of airborne asbestos can occur if asbestos-containing materials present in many older homes are disturbed. Pipe or other insulation, ceiling tiles, exterior siding, roof shingles and sprayed on-soundproofing are just some of the materials found in older buildings that may contain asbestos. Buildings constructed before 1970 a...
Use caution to assure that all waste materials are removed and disposed of properly. Open burning of materials by individuals should be avoided, and may be illegal in your area. Improperly controlled burning of materials not only represents significant fire hazards but can also produce additional hazards from the vapors, smoke, and residue that are...
As an illustration, what follows are disaster debris amounts generated during three major disasters: Hurricane Katrina, 2005—more than 118 million cubic yards (CY)1 over a 93,000-square-mile area. Hurricane Andrew, 1992—43 million CY over a 500-square-mile area. The Northridge Earthquake, 1994—7 million CY.
Over a recent five-year period, “debris” accounted for approximately 27 percent1 of the total cost of a disaster. Yet debris management remains one of the most overlooked and least-planned-for components of disaster response and recovery. The removal of debris after a disaster is funded through FEMA’s Public Assistance Program under ...
Creating Disaster-Resilient Buildings to Minimize Disaster Debris provides practical actions for communities (e.g., cities, counties, states, territories, and tribes) on planning, designing, improving, and adapting new and existing buildings to withstand natural disasters today and in a changing climate.
Apr 11, 2023 · 10.2.2 Debris Magnitude. The magnitude (mass or volume) of the debris resulting from a disaster and its impact on surrounding communities cannot be overstated. The debris produced from a major event often surpasses the entire annual amount of solid waste produced for an affected region, putting a huge strain on resources, including on the existing capabilities and capacity of the existing ...
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What is debris? Debris’ is generated from damaged buildings and structures and includes building materials such as concrete and bricks, furnishings etc. Debris is not ‘waste’ that arises from the daily lives of households, markets, offices, industrial and commercial premises, and public sector offices. Large quantities of debris are generated in the wake of disasters and conflicts which ...
