Expand! Do not drink beverages that have been submerged by floods, as they may cause food and flooding
Recently, due to the impact of typhoon and rainstorm, floods occurred in many places. Drinking water, beverages, etc. may be soaked in floods. Everyone would wonder if this unopened beverage soaked in floods can still be consumed?
The answer is no.
Fruits, vegetables, agricultural products, and bottled water soaked in floods should all be discarded. Because once contaminated, these foods cannot be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.
An experiment once found that when an unopened beverage was placed in ink and soaked for a period of time, it was found that there were traces of ink contamination at the thread of the bottle mouth.
This is actually caused by a phenomenon called capillary action.
Capillary action is the automatic flow of a liquid in a narrow space without the need for any external force. When the flow space is narrow enough, the cohesion within the liquid and the adhesion between the liquid and the container wall will jointly drive the flow of the liquid.
Except for bottled water soaked in floods, temporary drinking water taken from wells, rivers, lakes, and ponds carries the risk of contamination and must be disinfected. Boiling for a few minutes can kill most of the pathogenic bacteria and viruses contained in the water. But it should be noted that the container for storing boiling water should be clean, and do not use a drinking cup to directly fetch water from the container. You can set up a boiling water faucet or a public water scoop.
On August 2, 2023, in Chenjiazhuang Village, Miaofengshan Town, Mentougou District, Beijing, villagers took water from an emergency water supply vehicle. On that day, the Water Bureau of Mentougou District, Beijing dispatched emergency water supply vehicles to transport water to Chenjiazhuang Village, which was rushing to clear the road. Photo by journalist Yi Haifei from China News Agency
In flood disasters, food is also susceptible to contamination. Eating food that has been in contact with floods by mistake may cause symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, and fever.
Firstly, food may be contaminated by microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and molds in floods. These microorganisms can easily reproduce in humid environments, leading to food spoilage and decay. Secondly, food may be contaminated by chemicals in floods, such as pesticides, insecticides, heavy metals, etc. These chemicals may penetrate into food and pose a threat to human health.
How to protect one's health after a flood?
According to the health recommendations issued by the World Health Organization, attention should be paid to these issues after floods:
Understand the evacuation routes and warning information of the community, and identify areas prone to flooding or landslides.
Disinfect or boil all drinking and cooking water with chlorine
Ensure safe drinking water and avoid drinking raw water to reduce the risk of water-based disease outbreaks.
Try not to come into contact with sewage and wash hands frequently
Do not use flood water to wash dishes, brush teeth, or clean and prepare food. If you have been exposed to floods, be sure to wash your hands with soap and water.
Avoid walking or driving through flood areas or waterlogged roads
Even the smallest amount of water can bring serious danger. You don't know if any wires have fallen into the water or if there are dangerous chemicals present. Cars and pedestrians are easily washed away in floods.
Do not discard any food that has come into contact with floods
If your food comes into contact with floods, it is no longer safe and increases the risk of waterborne diseases.
❻ Cleaning the house
Discard any items that cannot be cleaned with bleach, such as pillows and mattresses. Clean all walls, floors, and other surfaces with soap, water, and bleach.
❼ Mosquito prevention
If the house is in a place with accumulated or stagnant water, please use mosquito repellent according to the product instructions and spray it on clothes or skin. When sleeping, wear long pants and long sleeved tops, and use mosquito nets.
