Toxic Water Contaminations: Article Analysis

In the article “Houston Flood Waters Are Tainted With Bacteria And Toxins, Tests Show” by Sheila Kaplan and Jack Healy, flood waters in Houston neighborhoods have been contaminated. Plus, the spread of the toxic waters is not clear on how far they have gone, but it is hinted that the breaches of several waste plants have made the waters more dangerous. Testing has occurred and has found traces of Escherichia coli which is a fecal contamination. In the Clayton Homes public housing development, high traces of E. coli have been found in standing waters along with elevated levels of lead, arsenic and other heavy metals. Amounts of sewage contamination have been found to be higher inside of a home than outside. Inside of the home, bacteria are
able to grow easier because of the conditions inside of the home. Amounts of E. coli have been reported by CNN and The Associated Press.
There is a lot of concern about the flood waters because infections have become more frequent for people who have been in contact with the flood waters. Cellulitis, which is reddened skin infection, has become common for many people since the storm. The old, young and those with immune disorders are discouraged to go into their homes until it is cleaned. If broken skin comes into contact with the waters, it could lead to an infection. A man named Brad Greer had gotten two infections where his rain boots had irritated his skin. In addition, Greer had to take a medication for his infections. More water and sediment samples had been taken. The lack of information about the toxic waters had angered a woman named Maria Sotolongo, a wife and mother of three who had later helped conduct water research on what had been her front lawn. Maria was well equipped with protection from the waters, but others have lot been as fortunate. John Denson has a son who has very bad asthma, and once the son had entered their house, he was coughing like crazy and had difficulty breathing. Another man who did not know about the health risks is named Roderick Francis. His wife had spotted yellow, green, and black mold once they had gone back to salvage their belongings. They got worried and are moving to a different place. Dr. Hamilton has said that you need to change right away after going through the waters; In addition, she had said that the stuff that looks like sand is not sand but is sludge sediment. The sediment is also lead so parents need to make sure their kids do not play in it.