Dallas (WBAP/KLIF) – A dozen Dallas Red Cross Volunteers are in Baton Rouge cleaning up after the flood are facing health hazards of their own. Anita Foster of The American Red Cross said floods are one of the worst natural disasters because they wreak havoc and, once the water has receded, they leave numerous health risks behind. Foster said volunteers are at risk for injuries from debris and respiratory illnesses from mold. The Red Cross is taking precautions.
“We’re dropping off supplies…bleach…and gloves..breathing masks. The types of items that help somebody safely be able to clear debris,” said Foster. She said the Red Cross stays in close touch with local officials to assess what the hazards are in the area.
“We’ll be working on a wildfire. We’ll be making sure we understand what the breathing hazards are. In floods, you tend to get fire ants in the bayou areas of Louisiana there could be hazards with crocodiles,” said Foster.
The Red Cross is still looking for volunteers. Foster said a disaster of this magnitude will take months to clean up.
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