University of Iowa faculty, staff and students affected by the flood of 2008 are invited to share their stories of the disaster and its aftermath through written expression or journaling in a safe, supportive community for six weeks starting March 26 at the Johnson County Crisis Center, 1121 Gilbert Court in Iowa City.
Hosted by the center, the "Swept Away-Brought Together" writers group is open to people with all levels of writing skill. It will meet from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on six consecutive Thursdays: March 26 and April 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30.
Group members will be invited to share their heart's needs and use poetry, prose and essays as a source of healing and recovery and as a creative way to make meaning out of life's traumatic circumstances. Participants will be encouraged to record events, describe places and belongings, and explore emotions, thoughts and beliefs that came with the waters of last June.
To reserve a spot contact Diane Yagla, flood case advocate, 319-351-0140.
Showing posts with label Health and Safety. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Health and Safety. Show all posts
Friday, March 6, 2009
Friday, August 29, 2008
Mold facts now available en español
A fact sheet offering answers to questions about how to identify and eliminate mold caused by flooding is now available in Spanish in PDF format by clicking here. The fact sheet was produced by the University of Iowa College of Public Health and the University Hygienic Laboratory. For more flood-related health tips, go here.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
UI Police remind students of Nite Ride, note flood-related service
University of Iowa Police would like to remind students that they offer the Nite Ride van service between 10 p.m. and 3 a.m. seven days a week. Women may get a safe, free ride home by dialing 319-384-1111. Callers are connected with the van driver, who can provide the van's current location and an estimated pickup time.
An academic route, which operates Sundays through Thursdays, picks up passengers at any UI parking lot, ramp or building (except for residence halls and University Housing) and drops them off at any UI parking lot, ramp or building including residence halls, University Housing and apartments within the specified boundaries.
The downtown route, which operates Fridays and Saturdays, is staged at Clinton and Washington streets and is bounded by Summit Street to the east, University Housing (Hawkeye Campus) to the west, Highway 6 and Melrose Avenue to the south, and Highway 6/Park Road/Foster Road to the north.
Additionally, Nite Ride is serving academic facilities relocated because of the flood, even if they are temporarily housed in non-UI buildings. These include the Studio Arts Building (formerly Menards) on Highway 1, where many of the arts studio and studio faculty offices are located; the School of Music's "Clinton Street Music 375" and "Clinton Street Music 376" near the Iowa City Main Post Office and Johnson County Courthouse; and the Department of Theatre Arts' main offices in Brewery Square, North Linn Street, above the restaurant Devotay.
For more information, including a link to a map of the route, visit http://www.uiowa.edu/~pubsfty/nite.htm.
An academic route, which operates Sundays through Thursdays, picks up passengers at any UI parking lot, ramp or building (except for residence halls and University Housing) and drops them off at any UI parking lot, ramp or building including residence halls, University Housing and apartments within the specified boundaries.
The downtown route, which operates Fridays and Saturdays, is staged at Clinton and Washington streets and is bounded by Summit Street to the east, University Housing (Hawkeye Campus) to the west, Highway 6 and Melrose Avenue to the south, and Highway 6/Park Road/Foster Road to the north.
Additionally, Nite Ride is serving academic facilities relocated because of the flood, even if they are temporarily housed in non-UI buildings. These include the Studio Arts Building (formerly Menards) on Highway 1, where many of the arts studio and studio faculty offices are located; the School of Music's "Clinton Street Music 375" and "Clinton Street Music 376" near the Iowa City Main Post Office and Johnson County Courthouse; and the Department of Theatre Arts' main offices in Brewery Square, North Linn Street, above the restaurant Devotay.
For more information, including a link to a map of the route, visit http://www.uiowa.edu/~pubsfty/nite.htm.
UI Police step up patrols in areas where Blue Caps are out of order
Half of the University of Iowa's Blue Cap emergency phone stations scattered across campus are out of order because of direct flood damage or because nearby buildings that provide power to them are not yet fully operational.
Eleven of the 22 stations are still working (12 including a wall-mounted unit located inside the Lindquist Center), while 11 remain out of order, according to UI Police. Most of the units that are out of order are located near the arts campus and along the river.
Police have wrapped the broken units in red plastic and posted signs noting that they're out of order and directing pedestrians with cell phones to call 911 if there is an emergency. They've also stepped up patrols in areas where the Blue Caps are out of order.
Officials are working to get all of the units up and running as soon as possible. Until then, they urge pedestrians to stay away from construction zones and parts of campus that aren't well lit, to walk with friends, especially late at night, and to report any suspicious activity to police.
Eleven of the 22 stations are still working (12 including a wall-mounted unit located inside the Lindquist Center), while 11 remain out of order, according to UI Police. Most of the units that are out of order are located near the arts campus and along the river.
Police have wrapped the broken units in red plastic and posted signs noting that they're out of order and directing pedestrians with cell phones to call 911 if there is an emergency. They've also stepped up patrols in areas where the Blue Caps are out of order.
Officials are working to get all of the units up and running as soon as possible. Until then, they urge pedestrians to stay away from construction zones and parts of campus that aren't well lit, to walk with friends, especially late at night, and to report any suspicious activity to police.
UI engineers begin yearlong study of flood pollutants in Cedar Rapids Aug. 26
The Flood of 2008 and the pollutants it left in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, will be the focus of a yearlong, $100,000 National Science Foundation (NSF) study by University of Iowa researchers in cooperation with the Linn County Board of Supervisors beginning Tuesday, Aug. 26.
Project principal investigators Keri Hornbuckle and Thanos Papanicolaou, professors of civil and environmental engineering and researchers at IIHR-Hydroscience and Engineering, say that they and about a dozen UI undergraduate and graduate students will begin collecting soil samples from lawns adjacent to roadways and grassy land within the flood zone of the city at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 26.
"We hope to determine the major sources of the mud and sediments that the flood waters left behind," Hornbuckle said. "We will measure radionuclides, stable isotopes of nitrogen and carbon, and persistent organic pollutants such as PCBs (persistent, toxic industrial chemicals banned decades ago) and chlordanes (insecticides used on lawns, gardens, corn and other crops) in Cedar Rapids sediments to trace the suspension, transport and deposition of sediments within Cedar Rapids.
"Although much of the mud and muck has disappeared, we are confident that the chemicals needed for their research remain," she said. She added that Linda Langston, chair of the Linn County Board of Supervisors, will be a key person in the overview of data collection sites.
Researchers will be equipped with small shovels, sampling jars and bags, GPS units, and clipboards. The goal is to collect about 400 soil samples from grassy areas of the city, with additional sampling conducted in the Cedar River and Cedar Lake via a boat through core sampling and bed load sediment measurements. Used as a cooling lake for the Sixth Street Generating Station and having an average depth of less than four feet, Cedar Lake is especially important because it is contaminated with chlordanes and PCBs.
"The origin of the sediments that now cover the city of Cedar Rapids is the focus of this project. We hypothesize that the sediments originated from at least three major sources including in-stream, stream bank sediments, and Cedar Lake sediments," Hornbuckle said.
Papanicolaou noted that the erosion of bank sediments is a key process in river dynamics, affecting a wide range of physical, ecological and socio-economic issues within a river drainage area and that the impact of bank erosion can be severe and further exacerbated due to flooding.
Hornbuckle and Papanicolaou said that the project and its findings will be of interest to the city as well as their fellow engineers. The project will use state-of-the-art measurement techniques, and the strategy being tested can be used by other researchers to track sediments in similar floods.
The UI researchers are scheduled to report their findings to the National Science Foundation by July 2009.
STORY SOURCE: University of Iowa News Services, 300 Plaza Centre One, Suite 371, Iowa City, Iowa 52242-2500
MEDIA CONTACTS: Keri Hornbuckle, UI College of Engineering, 319-331-3053, keri-hornbuckle@uiowa.edu; Thanos Papanicolaou, UI College of Engineering, 319-321-0483, athanasios-papanicolaou@uiowa.edu; Gary Galluzzo, University News Services, 319-384-0009, gary-galluzzo@uiowa.edu
NOTE TO EDITORS: News media are invited to attend the Tuesday, Aug. 26, kick-off of the Cedar Rapids flood pollutants study. UI researchers will meet at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 26, at the intersection of 3rd Street SE and 11th Avenue SE in Cedar Rapids prior to dispersing throughout the city to collect soil samples at various sites. Reporters can learn the current location of UI researchers by contacting UI Principal Investigator Keri Hornbuckle via cell phone at 319-331-3053.
Project principal investigators Keri Hornbuckle and Thanos Papanicolaou, professors of civil and environmental engineering and researchers at IIHR-Hydroscience and Engineering, say that they and about a dozen UI undergraduate and graduate students will begin collecting soil samples from lawns adjacent to roadways and grassy land within the flood zone of the city at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 26.
"We hope to determine the major sources of the mud and sediments that the flood waters left behind," Hornbuckle said. "We will measure radionuclides, stable isotopes of nitrogen and carbon, and persistent organic pollutants such as PCBs (persistent, toxic industrial chemicals banned decades ago) and chlordanes (insecticides used on lawns, gardens, corn and other crops) in Cedar Rapids sediments to trace the suspension, transport and deposition of sediments within Cedar Rapids.
"Although much of the mud and muck has disappeared, we are confident that the chemicals needed for their research remain," she said. She added that Linda Langston, chair of the Linn County Board of Supervisors, will be a key person in the overview of data collection sites.
Researchers will be equipped with small shovels, sampling jars and bags, GPS units, and clipboards. The goal is to collect about 400 soil samples from grassy areas of the city, with additional sampling conducted in the Cedar River and Cedar Lake via a boat through core sampling and bed load sediment measurements. Used as a cooling lake for the Sixth Street Generating Station and having an average depth of less than four feet, Cedar Lake is especially important because it is contaminated with chlordanes and PCBs.
"The origin of the sediments that now cover the city of Cedar Rapids is the focus of this project. We hypothesize that the sediments originated from at least three major sources including in-stream, stream bank sediments, and Cedar Lake sediments," Hornbuckle said.
Papanicolaou noted that the erosion of bank sediments is a key process in river dynamics, affecting a wide range of physical, ecological and socio-economic issues within a river drainage area and that the impact of bank erosion can be severe and further exacerbated due to flooding.
Hornbuckle and Papanicolaou said that the project and its findings will be of interest to the city as well as their fellow engineers. The project will use state-of-the-art measurement techniques, and the strategy being tested can be used by other researchers to track sediments in similar floods.
The UI researchers are scheduled to report their findings to the National Science Foundation by July 2009.
STORY SOURCE: University of Iowa News Services, 300 Plaza Centre One, Suite 371, Iowa City, Iowa 52242-2500
MEDIA CONTACTS: Keri Hornbuckle, UI College of Engineering, 319-331-3053, keri-hornbuckle@uiowa.edu; Thanos Papanicolaou, UI College of Engineering, 319-321-0483, athanasios-papanicolaou@uiowa.edu; Gary Galluzzo, University News Services, 319-384-0009, gary-galluzzo@uiowa.edu
NOTE TO EDITORS: News media are invited to attend the Tuesday, Aug. 26, kick-off of the Cedar Rapids flood pollutants study. UI researchers will meet at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 26, at the intersection of 3rd Street SE and 11th Avenue SE in Cedar Rapids prior to dispersing throughout the city to collect soil samples at various sites. Reporters can learn the current location of UI researchers by contacting UI Principal Investigator Keri Hornbuckle via cell phone at 319-331-3053.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Tansey offers advice on coping with emotional trauma of flooding
KXIC radio has conducted recent interviews, available in audio, with University of Iowa staff about initiatives related to the recent flooding. To hear the most recent interview in Windows Media Player, Quicktime Player or Real Player, or to read a transcript of the interview, follow the link below:
After the Flood-Watch for Warning Signs: It is hard to believe it has almost been a month since the flooding. The damage is breathtaking and estimates so far total in the tens of billions of dollars. If you are one of many people affected by flooding, you know it is more than the issue of cleaning up. There is real emotional loss that people are also dealing with. Those who have never experienced a traumatic situation or who have never dealt with depression and anxiety may underestimate the seriousness of mental illnesses. Dr. Janeta Tansey, an associate professor and psychiatrist at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, offers information about the signs we should look for in ourselves and our neighbors dealing with loss.
After the Flood-Watch for Warning Signs: It is hard to believe it has almost been a month since the flooding. The damage is breathtaking and estimates so far total in the tens of billions of dollars. If you are one of many people affected by flooding, you know it is more than the issue of cleaning up. There is real emotional loss that people are also dealing with. Those who have never experienced a traumatic situation or who have never dealt with depression and anxiety may underestimate the seriousness of mental illnesses. Dr. Janeta Tansey, an associate professor and psychiatrist at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, offers information about the signs we should look for in ourselves and our neighbors dealing with loss.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Weiner discusses High Ground for Cancer Patients initiative
KXIC radio has conducted recent interviews, available in audio, with University of Iowa staff about initiatives related to the recent flooding. To hear the most recent interview in Windows Media Player, Quicktime Player or Real Player, or to read a transcript of the interview, follow the link below:
High Ground for Cancer Patients: Anyone listening to or reading the news knows Iowa has had more that its share of unusual and devastating natural disasters this year. If you live in an Iowa county that has been declared a federal disaster area and you or a loved are dealing with cancer, there is help available. George Weiner, MD, medical oncologist, hematologist, and director of Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, talks about High Ground for Cancer Patients.
High Ground for Cancer Patients: Anyone listening to or reading the news knows Iowa has had more that its share of unusual and devastating natural disasters this year. If you live in an Iowa county that has been declared a federal disaster area and you or a loved are dealing with cancer, there is help available. George Weiner, MD, medical oncologist, hematologist, and director of Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, talks about High Ground for Cancer Patients.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
UI health officials offer video, tip sheet on dealing with mold
Mold is an environmental hazard found at extreme levels in flooded homes and office buildings, but workers involved in cleanup operations can protect themselves by planning appropriately.
Peter Thorne, Ph.D., UI professor of occupational and environmental health, discusses the hazards of mold and safety tips for cleanup in a video -- the latest installment for Flood Recovery: A Special Public Health Series on the UI Flood Recovery Web site. Included with the video is a PDF offering tips for removing mold.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Information offered to help better understand FEMA Disaster Assistance Grants
Disasters often leave survivors dazed, confused, hardly knowing which way to turn or what to do. Financial help for a variety of needs may be available from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division (HSEMD).
“FEMA is here in Iowa to be sure that eligible Iowans receive help with their home repair expenses, rent payments and some of the other unexpected financial burdens brought into their lives by the severe weather that has been ongoing here since May 25,” said FEMA’s Federal Coordinating Officer Bill Vogel. “FEMA wants you to know about the types of grants available to help you cope with disaster-related losses.”
As of July 1, FEMA has approved more than $73 million in grants to help more than 13,000 Iowa households with uninsured housing costs. These grants are available for:
• Eligible homeowners or renters whose house or apartment is made uninhabitable by the disaster to cover rent for temporary replacement housing, most often a rental apartment or house.
• Eligible homeowners to cover costs for repairing uninsured damage to their primary residence with the goal of making the damaged home livable.
Although FEMA does not reimburse insured costs or insurance deductibles, some people who have insurance may still qualify for a grant to cover costs that are not insured. For example, the homeowners policy may not cover rental expenses for temporary housing. A FEMA grant might fill the gap.
Disasters can cause serious financial burdens other than for housing needs. For eligible applicants, FEMA and state grants may help pay for such non-housing costs as:
• Disaster-related funeral and medical or dental costs
• Replacement of clothing, furniture and appliances
• Necessary educational materials (computers, school books, supplies)
• Repair or replacement of a disaster-damaged vehicle
• Moving and storage expenses related to the disaster
• Other necessary expenses or serious needs.
As of July 1, FEMA had approved almost $7 million in other needs assistance grants for Iowans.
“These grants are available to anyone who meets FEMA’s eligibility criteria,” said Iowa State Coordinating Officer Pat Hall. “Even if you have insurance, you could still qualify for a grant. I urge all Iowans with losses from our recent series of extreme weather who live in federally declared counties to register for assistance.”
Individuals may register by calling toll-free 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585 for those with hearing or speech impairments or online anytime at www.fema.gov. Hours for telephone registration are 24 hours a day, seven days a week until 11 p.m. Thursday, July 3, when they will change to 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week, until further notice. Applicants may also call those numbers to check on their status, update their applications or report any additional damage.
“FEMA is here in Iowa to be sure that eligible Iowans receive help with their home repair expenses, rent payments and some of the other unexpected financial burdens brought into their lives by the severe weather that has been ongoing here since May 25,” said FEMA’s Federal Coordinating Officer Bill Vogel. “FEMA wants you to know about the types of grants available to help you cope with disaster-related losses.”
As of July 1, FEMA has approved more than $73 million in grants to help more than 13,000 Iowa households with uninsured housing costs. These grants are available for:
• Eligible homeowners or renters whose house or apartment is made uninhabitable by the disaster to cover rent for temporary replacement housing, most often a rental apartment or house.
• Eligible homeowners to cover costs for repairing uninsured damage to their primary residence with the goal of making the damaged home livable.
Although FEMA does not reimburse insured costs or insurance deductibles, some people who have insurance may still qualify for a grant to cover costs that are not insured. For example, the homeowners policy may not cover rental expenses for temporary housing. A FEMA grant might fill the gap.
Disasters can cause serious financial burdens other than for housing needs. For eligible applicants, FEMA and state grants may help pay for such non-housing costs as:
• Disaster-related funeral and medical or dental costs
• Replacement of clothing, furniture and appliances
• Necessary educational materials (computers, school books, supplies)
• Repair or replacement of a disaster-damaged vehicle
• Moving and storage expenses related to the disaster
• Other necessary expenses or serious needs.
As of July 1, FEMA had approved almost $7 million in other needs assistance grants for Iowans.
“These grants are available to anyone who meets FEMA’s eligibility criteria,” said Iowa State Coordinating Officer Pat Hall. “Even if you have insurance, you could still qualify for a grant. I urge all Iowans with losses from our recent series of extreme weather who live in federally declared counties to register for assistance.”
Individuals may register by calling toll-free 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585 for those with hearing or speech impairments or online anytime at www.fema.gov. Hours for telephone registration are 24 hours a day, seven days a week until 11 p.m. Thursday, July 3, when they will change to 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week, until further notice. Applicants may also call those numbers to check on their status, update their applications or report any additional damage.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Loud steam blow scheduled for noon Thursday
A loud steam blow is planned for noon today, Thursday, June 26, and could last up to an hour. The steam blow will originate at the Chilled Water Plant south of North Hall and west of Burge Hall. Facilities Management officials have recommended to others in the nearby area that they avoid that immediate location if possible during this time period. The blow is required to clean the new pipes and set combustion controls on the boiler.
Status list for UI buildings updated
Closed major buildings
1. Adler Journalism Building
2. Art Building
3. Art Building West
4. Becker Communications Studies Building
5. Danforth Chapel
6. English Philosophy Building
7. Hancher Auditorium
8. Hawkeye Court Apartments
9. Iowa Advanced Technology Labs
10. Iowa Memorial Union
11. Main Library
12. Mayflower Residence Hall
13. Madison Street Services Building
14. Museum of Art
15. Power Plant
16. Stanley Hydraulics Lab
17. Theatre Building
18. Voxman/Clapp Music Building
19. Women’s Resource and Action Center (WRAC)
Other closed facilities
1. Court Street Storage
2. Cretzmeyer Track
3. Lagoon Shelter House
4. Softball Equipment Storage Building
5. Softball Stadium
6. Track Equipment Building
7. IMU and Hancher Footbridges
Closed parking lots and ramps
http://www.uiowa.edu/~parking/
Closed streets and bridges in Iowa City and Coralville
http://www.icgov.org/default/fs/?id=1874
1. Adler Journalism Building
2. Art Building
3. Art Building West
4. Becker Communications Studies Building
5. Danforth Chapel
6. English Philosophy Building
7. Hancher Auditorium
8. Hawkeye Court Apartments
9. Iowa Advanced Technology Labs
10. Iowa Memorial Union
11. Main Library
12. Mayflower Residence Hall
13. Madison Street Services Building
14. Museum of Art
15. Power Plant
16. Stanley Hydraulics Lab
17. Theatre Building
18. Voxman/Clapp Music Building
19. Women’s Resource and Action Center (WRAC)
Other closed facilities
1. Court Street Storage
2. Cretzmeyer Track
3. Lagoon Shelter House
4. Softball Equipment Storage Building
5. Softball Stadium
6. Track Equipment Building
7. IMU and Hancher Footbridges
Closed parking lots and ramps
http://www.uiowa.edu/~parking/
Closed streets and bridges in Iowa City and Coralville
http://www.icgov.org/default/fs/?id=1874
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
University Hygienic Lab answers question about who should test well water
University of Iowa News Release
June 25, 2008
University Hygienic Lab answers question about who should test well water
Should I be testing my water? Many people who are on private well systems are asking that question because of the recent flooding.
Nancy Hall, supervisor of environmental microbiology for the University Hygienic Laboratory (UHL), explains that the focus for testing is on wells that have been directly impacted by floodwaters.
"People whose drinking water comes from private wells should have their water tested if their wells were covered by flood water or if the well is located close to flood water, which are those located in the 100-year and 500-year flood plain," Hall said. "We have sent the message for years that people should have their well water tested once a year, and people should do this. But our priority now is to first make sure that we test the water for those families impacted by the flood who may be without safe water."
The UHL distributed hundreds of water testing kits to all county health departments affected by the flooding for this testing. These kits include supplies and instructions for collection and mailing of samples to the lab on the Oakdale Campus, just north of Iowa City. Contact your county health department to obtain a kit.
The UHL provides consultation on disease prevention, water and food safety, and disinfection of environmental surfaces. These services are particularly helpful to homeowners and businesses as they resume operations following a flood. The toll-free number for the Hygienic Lab is 800-421-IOWA (4692).
Additional information about health concerns related to flooding is also available on the University of Iowa Flood Information blog and on the UHL home page.
The Iowa Department of Public Health provides detailed information about precautions to following recovery and clean-up following a flood on its website.
The University Hygienic Laboratory is part of the University of Iowa and is the state of Iowa's environmental and public health laboratory. The UHL is the designated laboratory for the Iowa Neonatal Metabolic Screening Program, with facilities located on the Oakdale Campus in Iowa City and at the Iowa Lab Facilities in Ankeny, a Des Moines suburb. Among its many services, the laboratory functions as a consultative and analytical support facility for state agencies, health professionals and citizens. The UHL performs analyses on samples from virtually all matrices, including human clinical specimens, air, drinking water, wastewater, soil, sediment, industrial effluents, oil and fish.
STORY SOURCE: University Hygienic Laboratory, 102 Oakdale Campus, H101 OH, Iowa City, Iowa 52242-5002
MEDIA CONTACT: Pat Blake, 319-335-4177 or 319-721-0000, patricia-blake@uiowa.edu
June 25, 2008
University Hygienic Lab answers question about who should test well water
Should I be testing my water? Many people who are on private well systems are asking that question because of the recent flooding.
Nancy Hall, supervisor of environmental microbiology for the University Hygienic Laboratory (UHL), explains that the focus for testing is on wells that have been directly impacted by floodwaters.
"People whose drinking water comes from private wells should have their water tested if their wells were covered by flood water or if the well is located close to flood water, which are those located in the 100-year and 500-year flood plain," Hall said. "We have sent the message for years that people should have their well water tested once a year, and people should do this. But our priority now is to first make sure that we test the water for those families impacted by the flood who may be without safe water."
The UHL distributed hundreds of water testing kits to all county health departments affected by the flooding for this testing. These kits include supplies and instructions for collection and mailing of samples to the lab on the Oakdale Campus, just north of Iowa City. Contact your county health department to obtain a kit.
The UHL provides consultation on disease prevention, water and food safety, and disinfection of environmental surfaces. These services are particularly helpful to homeowners and businesses as they resume operations following a flood. The toll-free number for the Hygienic Lab is 800-421-IOWA (4692).
Additional information about health concerns related to flooding is also available on the University of Iowa Flood Information blog and on the UHL home page.
The Iowa Department of Public Health provides detailed information about precautions to following recovery and clean-up following a flood on its website.
The University Hygienic Laboratory is part of the University of Iowa and is the state of Iowa's environmental and public health laboratory. The UHL is the designated laboratory for the Iowa Neonatal Metabolic Screening Program, with facilities located on the Oakdale Campus in Iowa City and at the Iowa Lab Facilities in Ankeny, a Des Moines suburb. Among its many services, the laboratory functions as a consultative and analytical support facility for state agencies, health professionals and citizens. The UHL performs analyses on samples from virtually all matrices, including human clinical specimens, air, drinking water, wastewater, soil, sediment, industrial effluents, oil and fish.
STORY SOURCE: University Hygienic Laboratory, 102 Oakdale Campus, H101 OH, Iowa City, Iowa 52242-5002
MEDIA CONTACT: Pat Blake, 319-335-4177 or 319-721-0000, patricia-blake@uiowa.edu
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
UI offers resources to faculty and students for teaching, learning in times of crisis
The University of Iowa Center for Teaching, in collaboration with the University Counseling Service, is offering resources for faculty members and students dealing with the personal and institutional losses related to the flood. The Center for Teaching homepage (www.centeach.uiowa.edu) provides a number of useful online resources under "Teaching in Times of Crisis." University Counseling Service, 3223 Westlawn, offers individual counseling to students as well as an educational program on "Resilience: Strengths in the Face of Natural Disaster.” They can be reached at 319-335-7294. Faculty and Staff Services offers counseling to faculty and staff members and their families who may have been affected by the flooding. They can be reached at 319-335-2085 for appointments or for more information.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Special Section: Health Issues During Flood Recovery
[Related: Public health experts at the University Hygienic Laboratory and the UI College of Public Health held a special media briefing today to discuss their initiative to develop and distribute information to aid Iowans as they face the daunting and protracted task of cleanup and recovery. Read about the briefing here. Listen to an mp3 audio file of the session here.]
The flood of 2008 that devastated more than 80 counties in Iowa now challenges the public health community to develop strategies that will help guide Iowans through the recovery process.
In many areas, we do not know the extent of damage to homes and businesses. We do know that the record flood levels isolated people from their normal routines and presents many health risks from contaminants in water that still flows through our communities.
Public health partners at the University Hygienic Laboratory (UHL) and the UI College of Public Health (CPH) collaborate on developing and distributing the following information that will aid Iowans as we face the daunting and protracted task of clean-up and recovery. We encourage you to send us your ideas and suggestions for other topics as we look for ways to protect the health of Iowans during this time of emergency.
Informational Topics
The University of Iowa College of Public Health and the University Hygienic Laboratory developed the following materials to inform you about potential health hazards you may face after the recent flood. Listed below are links to fact sheets about each topic and video clips that explain what you might encounter.
Links:
- University Hygienic Lab answers question about who should test well water (June 25, 2008 news release) NEW
PDFs:
VIDEO: Coping with the stress of an emergency (Dr. Kathleen Staley)
VIDEO: Is water from my well safe to drink? (Nancy Hall)
Look for additional topics and videos in coming weeks. Meanwhile, here are a list of additional resources:
University Hygienic Laboratory – Water testing, environmental and public health concerns
Iowa Department of Public Health – Flood-related Information
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention -- Key Facts About Hurricane and Flood Recovery
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences – Floods
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – Natural Disasters and Weather Emergencies
Evacuation Considerations for Persons who are Elderly, Disabled or Have Special Medical Care Issues
University Hygienic Laboratory – Water testing, environmental and public health concerns
Iowa Department of Public Health – Flood-related Information
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention -- Key Facts About Hurricane and Flood Recovery
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences – Floods
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – Natural Disasters and Weather Emergencies
Evacuation Considerations for Persons who are Elderly, Disabled or Have Special Medical Care Issues
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