Water, appeared on the streets in two areas of Houston as a result of flooding caused by hurricane Harvey, the infected bacteria and toxins that can cause in humans a variety of diseases. This is evidenced by laboratory analysis of water, conducted with the assistance of the publication of The New York Times. Experts argue that under such conditions the residents of Houston unsafe to return to their homes and insist on the adoption of emergency measures.
How big the contamination is and how far spread the toxic water is not yet known. Fire chief Houston Samuel peña said that the pollution happened due to violations of safety systems at several plants for recycling. Agency for environmental protection has confirmed that 40 of 1219 such plants in the Houston area are not working due to damage caused by a hurricane.
The study showed that water flowing over Briarhills Parkway in the Houston Energy Corridor contains bacteria Escherichia coli (fecal contamination) in the volume four times exceeding the norm. In a residential complex with Clayton Homeslocated in the city center along Buffalo Bayou, in the living room of one of the apartments of the sanitary service found that the above bacterium in 135 times higher than normal. In the water was also attended by dangerously high levels of lead, arsenic and heavy metals.
Experts say that the water remaining in the homes has a much greater degree of pollution than the water outside the house – on the street. This is due to the fact that the house is usually warmer, water stagnates for several days, which is the perfect condition for bacteria.
Dr. David Perse, chief physician of Houston, said that children, the elderly and people with immune disorders, should not return home until they are completely clean.
