Chemical and Biological Contamination Concerns in the Wake of Hurricane Helene

Contamination Risks from Hurricane Helene

Local officials, academic researchers, and volunteer responders have expressed worries about potential chemical and biological contamination due to the floodwaters of Hurricane Helene in the southeastern U.S. last week. The contamination could pose risks to not only the safety of drinking water but also the quality of soil. This has led experts to call for stricter regulations on stored pollutants.

Hurricane Helene, which hit Florida as a Category 4 hurricane on September 26, caused significant damage through extreme rainfall that led to flooding. The storm resulted in at least 232 deaths. The floodwaters from such storms typically carry various biological and chemical threats, including e. coli from overflowing sewage systems.

Industrial Sites and Contamination

Although it's not yet clear what bacteria or chemicals were present in Helene's floodwaters, the storm passed through hundreds of industrial sites with toxic pollutants. These included paper mills, fertilizer factories, oil and gas storage facilities, and even a retired nuclear plant. This information comes from three researchers at Rice University who have called for stricter regulations on the storage and release of chemical pollutants.

The researchers highlighted that hazardous releases often remain largely invisible due to limited disclosure requirements and scant public information. They argue that the public should be made aware of the rising chemical threats from our changing climate, particularly as rising global temperatures increase the risk of extreme downpours and powerful hurricanes.

Infrastructure Devastation and Drinking Water Concerns

The destruction of infrastructure and the lack of drinking water in cities such as Asheville, North Carolina, has received national media attention following the storm. In North Carolina alone, more than 700,000 households lost power, and 170,000 were still without it as of last Thursday. The National Weather Service warns that while floodwaters can create visible devastation, unseen dangers can be just as harmful.

Helene's floodwaters also contaminated many wells, making them unsafe to drink until treatment and testing can be done. North Carolina's Department of Health and Human Services advised residents not to use contaminated well water earlier this week.

Mountain Flooding and Its Impact

One issue following Helene is that most studies of flooding's impact on drinking water have been conducted in coastal areas, and it's not clear how they apply to the mountainous areas of North Carolina that were hardest hit by the storm. Wells tested in eastern North Carolina after Hurricane Florence in 2018 showed some detections of e. coli or total fecal coliform, partly attributed to industrialized hog farms in the area.

After flooding, crops are often rendered unsafe due to biological or chemical contamination. Natural bodies of water are also often unsafe to swim in following floods. The period after a tropical storm brings an increased risk of both biological contaminants, such as bacteria and viruses, and chemical contaminants, such as heavy metals and pesticides.

Volunteer Cleanup Efforts and Risks

A grassroots volunteer cleanup effort has sprung up in western North Carolina following Helene, but it brings risks for the volunteers because of potential contamination. A resident of Marshall conducted a soil test this week but the results haven't come back yet. All of these rivers should be treated as hazmat sites, according to a local spokesperson.

The researchers from Rice University have called for better preparation for future storms in the form of stronger regulation. They've developed a map showing the U.S. areas that are most vulnerable to chemical pollution brought on by floodwaters. One hotspot is the area of Texas and Louisiana full of petrochemical industry sites.

Bottom Line

The aftermath of Hurricane Helene has raised serious concerns about potential chemical and biological contamination. These concerns highlight the need for stricter regulations on stored pollutants and better preparation for future storms. What are your thoughts on this issue? Do you agree with the call for tighter regulations? Share this article with your friends and let's start a conversation. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is delivered every day at 6pm.