General

The role of environmental health officer in flood disaster management and its health implication on the environment

Introduction

Disaster is an unexpected event such as very bad accident, food or a fire that kills a lot of people or causes lots of damage (Sally, 2005). World Health Organization (WHO) (2011), states that disaster can occur anywhere in the world affecting human health, people’s lives and the infrastructure built to support our society. Environmental health problem arising from disaster are connected to their effect on the physical, biological and social environment that pose a threat to human health, wellbeing and survival, shelter, water etc.

Draft Emergency Response, (2001), stated that disasters are event that occur when significant number of people are exposed to extreme events. For example flood in which they become vulnerable, resulting in injuries or illness combined with potential damage to property and livelihood.

Wisner and Adams, (2002), states that flood can cause a number of public health safety issues. In terms of environmental health response, flood causes six (6) major problems in their aftermath: food borne: illness, water borne illness, vector borne illness, electric hazard, hazardous chemical hazards and complications due to mold. It also causes many impacts to agricultural production, including water contamination, damage to crops, loss of livestock, increase susceptibility of livestock to disease, flooded farm machinery and environmental damages.

Disasters are unpredictable but they do not need to be unmanageable. Therefore following a disease, rapid effective action is needed to save lives, protect health and stabilize the situation to avoid making emergency worse. Commonwealth of Australia, (2008), states that a good environmental health disaster management has a significant role in addressing the impact of disaster on environmental health infrastructure and consequently the public. This include protecting and mitigating risk to system required for general health and wellbeing such as water supply, food safety, sewage waste water and storm water. During a natural disaster such as flood, the environmental health professional have the primary role of providing services that are essential for protection and ensuring the wellbeing of the people in affected areas, with an emphasis on prevention and control of communicable diseases and exposure to hazards.

Their work also concern increasing communities’ ability to withstand disruption and to cover rapidly, food safety, water safety, shelter, sanitation etc. During flood, attention should be given to the safety of water and food because it has been known that flood prompt the outbreak of leptospirosis and cholera in areas where the organism is found in water source.

Conceptual framework

A disaster can be extensively defined as any tragic event stemming from events such as earthquakes, flood, catastrophic accidents, fire or explosion. It is a phenomenon that causes damage to life and property and destroys the economic social and cultural life of people.

In contemporary academic, disasters are seen as consequence of inappropriately managed risk. These risks are the product of hazards and vulnerability. Jakubricka , Vos , Phalkey, and Marx , (2010), states that flooding is now the most frequently type of major disaster which have killed more than 1000 people and affect million others in several ways over the last 10 years.

They also states that flooding can pose substantial social and mental health problems that may continue over extended period of time. It can challenge the psychosocial resilience of the hardiest of people who are affected. It is on record that seventy percent (70%) of the earth surface is covered by water and equally true that human, animals and plants need specific amount of water to survive but flood however is the unusual presence of water on land to a dept which affect normal activity. Flood is a natural occurrence yet its impact can be controlled.

World Health Organization, (2011), states that as the population and density continues to increase, the risk disaster pose to environmental infrastructure and conditions will continue to rise. Furthermore, increased urbanization and industrialization place a greater proportion of the world community at risk with the majority of the population migrating to urban, disaster prone areas that are often without an adequate level of environmental health protective infrastructure.

Types of flood disaster

There are several types of flood as stated by Nola Taylor, (2012), which includes the following.

Flash floods: Flash floods usually result from intense rainfall over a relatively small area of land that is already saturated from previous precipitation (rainfall). Water from flood can take time to build up, allowing the population in an area time to be warned in advance. But sometimes flooding occurs quickly.

Flash floods are characterized by a rapid rise of fast moving water which is extremely dangerous. A common speed for flash floods can move rocks weighing almost a hundred pounds. Flash floods carry debris that evaluate their potential to damage structures and injure people.

Coastal floods: These occur along the edge of ocean and it is driven predominantly by storm surges such as wave damage. This kind of flooding is usually connected to hurricane, tsunami or tropical storm. Coastal flooding results to death and damage of structures.
Ice jam flooding: In cold temperatures, bodies of water are often frozen. Heavy precipitation can cause chunks of ice to push together and create a dam in what is known as ice jam flooding. When water began to pile up, spilling over the plains, the wall of the ice jam breaks and fast moving water rushes downstream much like a conventional flash flood, destroying objects in its part. The water carries huge chunks of ice which increase damage to surrounding structures.
Riverine flooding: This type of flooding occurs when river burst their bank, inundating surrounding low land. The depth of flood water in this area can be greater and in some coaster region, river can rise from 10-20 meters above their normal level.
Urban flooding: Urban flooding is the inundation of land or property in a built environment particularly in more densely populated area caused by rainfall overwhelming the capacity of drainage system such as storm sewers. It is sometimes triggered by events such as flash flood or snowmelt, urban flooding is a condition characterized by its repeative and systematic impact on communities that can happen regardless of whether or not affect communities are located within formally designated flood plains or near any body of water.
Catastrophic flooding: This type of flooding is usually associated with major infrastructure failure such as the collapse of a dam, but they may also be caused by damage sustained in an earthquake or volcanic eruption.

Classification of flood disaster

Wisner, Blaiker, Cannon and Davis, (2004), classified disaster according to the following:

Speed or onset: This is the rate at which a disaster strike which can either be slow or sudden.

Slow disasters are disasters that give warning before occurring, While
Sudden disasters are disaster that strike without giving a warning.

Scale: The scale of a disaster refers to the impact caused by such disaster and it can be minor, moderate or major.

Minor disasters are disaster that are usually minimal or no property damage but there could be some level of public threat or inconvenience.
Moderate disasters are those ones that has some inundation of structures and roads. While
Major disaster occurs with extensive inundation of structures and roads.

Causes: Disaster can either be caused by man-made or natural

Man-made disasters are those ones caused by human activities. For examples flooding as a result of human encroachments. While
Natural Disaster are those ones that occur without any human cause.

Causes of flood disaster

Adeloye and Rustum, (2011), analyzed the causes of flooding problems being encountered to recommend sustainable management solution to them. They both said that this causes of flooding includes the following:

Increase urbanization: Urbanization which is the act of people moving from villages to cities making it anger has result to flood because as more and more people move from village to towns and cities there is need for construction of more buildings to accommodate them leading to man building in water ways, generating more waste and cutting down of forest and vegetation.
Poor solid waste management: The higher the population, the higher the volume of waste generated and the more difficult it is to manage these wastes leading to indiscriminate disposal of waste. Indiscriminate disposal/poor solid waste management does not only reduce the aesthetic value of the environment but also cause flooding in that when rain fall it becomes difficult for the water to flow away, that is inability of the rain water to flow away from the environment as a result of obstruction from waste result to flooding.
Deforestation: The indiscriminately falling of trees has resulted to flooding in that when there is no trees or vegetation surface run-off will be very high as there is nothing to absorb/intercept precipitation (drink water).
Discharge of large volume of water: Some possible reasons for such huge discharge of water could be as a result of very heavy rainfall in a short span of time, break in level, dams etc and very high tidal waves. Sometimes in the aftermath of a seismic activity example earthquake also called tsunami.
Inadequacy/lack of functional storm drains: When there are no functional drains to channel storm water to water body (rivers) the water remains on the environment resulting to flooding.

Effects of flood disaster

Flood disaster has several effects on man and his environment. Wisner et al (2004) identify the following effects of flood disaster on lives and properties.

The immediate impact of flooding includes loss of human life, damage to property, destruction of crops leading to shortage of food supply and creation of hunger, loss of livestock and deterioration of health conditions owing to water borne diseases.
Break in community link and infrastructure such as power plants, roads, bridge damage and disruption. Also some economic activities may come to a standstill, people are forced to leave their homes and normal life is disrupted
Disruption of industry can lead to loss of livelihoods. Damage to infrastructure also cause long term impact such as disruptions to supplies of clean water, waste water treatment, electricity, transport, communication, education and health care.
Flood can also traumatize victims and their families for long period of time. The loss of loved ones has deep impact especially on children.
Displacement of people from their homes, loss of property and disruption to business and social affairs can cause continuing stress.

Ways to control/ prevent flood disaster

Flood control refers to all methods used to reduce or prevent the detrimental effects of flood water. The methods includes planting vegetation to retain extra water, terracing hillsides to slow flood downhill and construction of flood ways (man-made channels to divert flood water), construction of levels, lakes, dams, reservoirs etc. (European Union, 2012).

Wisner et al, (2004), says that sometimes it might not be easy to prevent a flood, even if we know that it’s about to get flooded however, there are certain actions that can be taken to reduce the possibility of flooding which are:

Keep drainage system: This allows water to be carried down very fast. Choked drains cause significant reduction in the ability and speed of the water to be drains away. In most situation of urban flooding, this is a major cause.

The drains might get choked due to throwing of solid waste such as construction materials, plastic, paper etc. inside storm drains. Discouraging such act is vital in preventing flood.

General clean up of street: This is also important if we are to prevent flooding because as rain water falls down the street, it rushes into the storm drains. Therefore if the street is not clean, the rain water trying to get into the drains carries solid waste into the drains with itself which then obstruct the flow of water by the drainage system.
Rain water harvesting system: As much rain water tries to flow down the drains, it puts that much more stress on the drainage system which might lead to damage of the drainage system. Therefore, there should be several rain harvesting system to catch the rain water falling in that much area. This is because the lower the amount of water trying to get through the drainage system the easier it is for the drainage system to drain off the water.
Desilting: Desilting of drains should be done before the onset of rainy season to prevent drains from getting choked and also increase the capacity of the drains as accumulated silt (mud or fine earth deposit from running or standing water) prevent much water from being accumulated in the drains.
Inspection and repair of drains, dams, levees e.t.c: Before the onset of rainy seasons causing accumulation and carrying of heavy volume of water, these structures should be thoroughly inspected for possible weak spot and these should be repair.
Afforestation: Forestation helps in binding the loose soil. The major impact of this is, as flood water races through, it might take loose soil with it. This loose soil choked the drains as well as the water harvesting system, thus rendering both ineffective. On the other hand, trees will prevent soil to flow with the water as root of the trees will act as a binding force.

Afforestation also helps reduce the impact of flooding such as over flowing river. As water charges forward, its speed is reduced to some extent due to resistance offered by tress. This can reduce the force of charging water thereby reducing structural damage due to weakening in the force with which water hits various structures.

Local Embankment Around Low-Lying Houses: The creation of local embankment between street/road and property so that water cannot flow down from street/road inside houses.

Other control/preventive measures of flood by Alexander (2002), are;

Identification of flood diversion: Flood water are diverted to those uninhabited areas so that populated areas may be protected.
Construction of dam at strategic location.
Beach nourishment: The sea beaches are widened so that they can absorb the impact of flood water due to rise in sea level.
Conversion of flood prone area to wetland where urbanization is not allowed.

Challenges encounter during flood disaster

Bankoff and Hihorst (2003), states that the following are challenges encounter during flood.

Lack of water: It is irony that disasters that mean water everywhere result to lack of water to drink and sanitation. Lack of potable drinking water and sanitation can cause widespread outbreak of disease.
Lack of food: Most of the food items get damaged causing a severe food shortage. This food shortage could be for the food to be consumed in near future or even standing crops could be damage causing long term food shortage.
Lack of utilities: Utility services might have to be turned off for the fear of electrocution as there is water everywhere.
Widespread damage to structures: During flood, a lot of structures are damage which includes building, bridge, road, etc.
Drowning: Peoples, livestock, goods etc might get drown.
Snake and other creatures: Some of the dangerous creatures which usually stay underground would be force to come up as their natural habitat becomes unlivable. This could be dangerous to man and their domestic animals.
Submerging of houses, vehicles and other equipment: Vehicles, houses (if not constructed with durable materials) and other equipment might get permanently damaged as they remain submerged under water for prolong duration. Because of worldwide impact of such flood, the suffering could be long-drawn, besides the immediate impact as mention above.

Remedy to these challenges

Provision of adequate potable water supply to the flood victims.
Provision of food in large quantity that can serve the affected population.
Public utilities such as telephone, light/power supply; health care centre etc should be made available as soon as possible.
The use of durables/standard materials that can stay in water for a long time should be used for construction of structures.
There should be immediate response for evacuation of victims to temporary settlement to save lives and prevent drowning.
Temporary settlement should be fenced to prevent snakes and other creatures from entering.

The Role of environmental health officer (E.H.O) in flood disaster management

The role Environmental Health Officer (E.H.O) in public health emergency such as natural or man-made disaster is to provide technical assistance to the public or community response partners necessary to address any hazards or threats that are posed by the events (Draft Emergency Response Plan, 2001).

Wisner and Adams, (2002), states that following a disaster, rapid effective action is needed to save life, protect health and stabilize the situation to avoid making emergency worse. Therefore environmental health staff should conduct a rapid initial qualitative assessment to collect information needed to begin and appropriate and timely response.

Bankoff and Hihorst, (2003), states that the following are the roles of Environmental Health Officer (E.H.O) in flood disaster management.

Evacuation of victims: During flood, the Environmental Health Officer take action to save people affected by flood from drowning to death by creating rehabilitation centers.
Settlement of victims: At this stage the health officer makes observation or carryout inspection to detect and abate nuisances to prevent the reoccurrence of such nuisance. It is the role of Environmental Health Officer to ensure that flood victims are settled in a healthy environment not overcrowded to prevent the spread of diseases.
Treatment stage: The health officer carryout disinfection of materials and ensures that hospital or medical and other waste are sanitarily disposed.
Clean-up stage: At this stage the health officer determines the appropriate clean-up method.
Provision/supply stage: The Environmental Health Officer ensures that food provided for flood victims consumption is free from contamination, ensure fair distribution of the supplies and that the left over are stored in an appropriate way to prevent contamination. They also supply wholesome water for the consumption of flood victims.

Alexander, (2002), also states that the role of Environmental Health Officer includes the following:

Food safety: The environmental health officers ensure that mass feeding site comply with best practices for safe and hygiene food preparation and service, provide information/ recommendation to help manage donated food and provide information to the public addressing protection of perishable foods and advice on the sorting and disposal of contaminated food.
Water safety: Since flood disaster leads to contamination of water, it is the role of environmental health officers to ensure safe potable water is provided to people in affected areas. Before people from affected areas start drinking water from their various source of water, such water should be tested and deemed safe to be consumed.
Sanitation: This is essential to provide a healthy environment for people to live after flood disaster.
Vector control: Disaster frequently create conditions that result in population increase in insects (mosquitoes and flies) and rodent or increase contact between humans and vector species. In such situation, the chance of disease transmission increase sharply. For example, flood and heavy rain will create new mosquitoes breeding site in standing water and after disaster there is a considerable amount of solid waste including food waste that can serve as food supply for rodents and insects like house fly.

Therefore environmental health officer play a major role here by

Assessing the condition of the disaster (e.g standing water, uncollected and exposed solid waste containing food waste etc) that may promote vector population.
Work with private or public refuse houlers and municipal staff to reinstate regular refuse collection or arrange for special pickups.
Solid waste management: Disaster often result in large volume of waste or building debris that can over burden the waste management infrastructure and present the following potential public health problem/concern: Insect and rodents harborage, diseases caused by environmental agents (mold), chemical contamination, radioactive particles, lead, mercury etc.

In this situation, the environmental health officer plays the following role:

Ensure proper storage, collection and management of solid waste.
Provide information about potential health concerns.
Provide guidance, oversight and liaison to businesses and the public.

References

Adeloye & Rustum, (2011), Disaster field manual for Environment Health Specialist. Carmichael, CA: California Association of Environment Health Administrators: Rotledge press

Alexander .D. (2002), Principles of Emergency Planning and management. Washington D.C: harpended Terra Publishing.

Bankoff .G, & hihorst. D, (eds) (2003), mapping vulnerability: Disaster development and people London; Queens press.

Chang .M, (2007), Health and housing after Indian Ocean tsunami: lancet: Island press

Common Wealth of Australia, (2008), Report of the 6^th National conference-Sustaining Environment Health in indigenous community Australia

Franks, D, (2001). Draft emergency response plan for Environment Health. New York: The Guild ford press

Hogan .D. & Brustein J, (2007). Basic perspectives on Disaster. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, Philadelphia.

Jakubrika .T, vows .F, Phalkey .R, & Marx .M, (2010). Health impact of floods in Europe.

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Wisner. B, and Adams. J, (2002). A practical guide on Environment Health in Emergency and Disaster management. Wiltshire; Routledge