{"hq_id":"hq-p-hom-000225","name":"Flood Water Contamination (Sewage, Fuel, Pesticide, Mold)","category":{"primary":"household","secondary":"disaster","tags":["flood","contamination","sewage","mold","fuel","pesticide","waterborne","disaster"]},"product_tier":"HOM","overall_risk_level":"high","description":"Floodwater is a complex mixture of sewage overflow, fuel and chemical spills, agricultural runoff (pesticides, fertilizer), industrial discharge, and sediment. Contact causes gastroenteritis, wound infections (Vibrio vulnificus in coastal floods), leptospirosis, and skin infections. Post-flood: mold growth begins within 24-48 hours on wet materials — produces mycotoxins and triggers allergic/asthmatic responses. EPA/FEMA guidance: anything porous contacted by floodwater (carpet, drywall, upholstered furniture, mattresses) should be discarded — cannot be adequately decontaminated.","synthesis":{"derived_risk_level":"extreme","synthesis_confidence":0.757,"synthesis_method":"compound_composition","context_used":"human_child","context_source":"product_users","exposure_modifier":1.1,"vulnerability_escalated":false,"escalation_reason":null,"compounds_resolved":1,"compounds_total":1,"synthesis_date":"2026-05-09","synthesis_version":"1.2.0","methodology_note":"exposure_modifier and adjusted_magnitude are computed from ALETHEIA-calibrated heuristics (route × duration × frequency multipliers, clamped to [0.5, 1.4]). Multipliers are directionally informed by EPA Exposure Factors Handbook (2011) and CalEPA OEHHA but are not regulatory consensus. See /api/methodology for full disclosure."},"hazard_summary":{"sensitive_populations":"children, immunocompromised, wound/open skin, well water users","overall_risk":"high","primary_concerns":["Sewage overflow: E. coli, Cryptosporidium, hepatitis A, norovirus","Chemical contamination: fuel, pesticides, industrial discharge in floodwater","Post-flood mold: 24-48 hour onset, mycotoxin production, respiratory effects","Vibrio vulnificus wound infections in coastal floods (life-threatening)"],"exposure_routes":"Dermal (wading); oral (contaminated water/food); inhalation (mold, vapors)"},"exposure":{"routes":["dermal","oral","inhalation"],"contact_types":["skin_prolonged","oral_direct","inhalation"],"users":["adult","child"],"duration":"days","frequency":"event-based","scenarios":["Wading through floodwater (sewage, chemical, biological contamination)","Post-flood mold growth on wet building materials (24-48 hours onset)","Children playing in or near residual floodwater","Drinking flood-contaminated well water"],"notes":"FEMA: do NOT walk through moving water (6 inches can knock you down). Do NOT drive through floodwater. After flood: discard porous materials contacted by floodwater. Mold remediation: EPA recommends discarding materials that cannot be dried within 24-48 hours. Well water: boil or disinfect until tested clear by county health dept. Tetanus booster if wound contact with floodwater. Vibrio vulnificus: coastal flood wounds — life-threatening in immunocompromised."},"consumer_guidance":{"usage_warning":"Do NOT wade through floodwater without waterproof boots and gloves. Discard ALL porous materials contacted by floodwater (carpet, drywall below flood line, mattresses, upholstered furniture). Begin drying within 24 hours to prevent mold. Boil or disinfect well water until tested. Get tetanus booster if wound contact. Photograph damage before cleanup for insurance.","safer_alternatives":["Waterproof boots and nitrile gloves for any floodwater contact","Dehumidifier + fans to dry structure within 24-48 hours (prevent mold)","Well water: boil 1 minute or use EPA-approved disinfection","Professional mold remediation if >10 sq ft affected"]},"regulatory":{"applicable_regulations":[{"jurisdiction":"USA","regulation":"EPA Flood Cleanup Guidance / FEMA","citation":"EPA 542-F-07-001","requirements":"Guidance for homeowners on flood cleanup, mold prevention, well water disinfection. No federal mandate for residential flood remediation.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":null,"enforcing_agency":"EPA / FEMA","penalties":null,"source_ref":null}],"certifications":[],"labeling":{"required_disclosures":[],"prop65_warning":{"required":null,"chemicals":[],"endpoint":null,"notes":null},"ghs_labeling":{"required":null,"signal_word":null,"pictograms":[],"hazard_statements":[],"notes":null},"hidden_ingredients":{"trade_secret_protected":null,"categories_hidden":[],"estimated_count":null,"known_concerns":null,"notes":null},"notes":null},"recalls":[],"regulatory_gap":null,"notes":null},"lifecycle":{"recyclable":false,"disposal_guidance":"Flood-damaged porous materials: landfill disposal. Mold-contaminated materials: bag before removal to prevent spore spread.","hazardous_waste":false,"expected_lifespan":"varies"},"formulation":{"form":"varies","key_ingredients":[],"certifications":[]},"materials":{"common":[],"concerning":[],"preferred":[]},"compound_composition":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000011","compound_name":null,"role":"contaminant","typical_concentration":"varies"}],"identifiers":{"common_names":["flood water contamination (sewage, fuel, pesticide, mold)"],"aliases":[],"manufacturer":null,"brands":[]},"brand_examples":[{"brand":"Shaw Floors","manufacturer":"Berkshire Hathaway","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Major carpet manufacturer"},{"brand":"Mohawk","manufacturer":"Mohawk Industries","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Carpet and flooring leader"},{"brand":"Interface","manufacturer":"Interface","market_position":"premium","notable":"Sustainable carpet tile brand"}],"brand_examples_disclaimer":"Representative branded products of this category. Concerning ingredients listed in materials.concerning[] apply to the category, not necessarily to every named brand. Specific formulations vary by SKU and may have changed since this record was written; consult the brand's current ingredient label before drawing brand-level conclusions.","sources":[{"type":"expert_curation","name":"ALETHEIA Safety Database","date":"2026-03-25"},{"type":"regulation","title":"EPA Flood Cleanup Guidance / FEMA (EPA 542-F-07-001)","jurisdiction":"USA","citation":"EPA 542-F-07-001","id":"src_d614ccbc"},{"id":"iarc_100f_form","type":"regulatory","title":"IARC Monographs Volume 100F: Formaldehyde","year":2012,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000011"},{"id":"epa_form_iris","type":"regulatory","title":"US EPA IRIS Assessment: Formaldehyde (draft)","year":2010,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000011"},{"type":"regulatory","title":"US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)","jurisdiction":"USA","id":"src_defdd418","extraction":"description_reference"}],"meta":{"schema_version":"4.0.0","last_updated":"2026-03-25","timestamp":"2026-05-14T01:27:35.489Z"}}