Arizona is not known for an excess of water, yet your home or business can be struck by water damage at any time. A burst pipe, a freak rainstorm, or just the slow, insidious erosion from a small leak can leave you with signs of mold and water damage. Worse, other health hazards arise from water damage in Scottsdale just as readily as they do in a Louisiana bayou home (where you would expect to find more water damage). Watch for these five health hazards if you suffer water damage in your Arizona home or business.

Respiratory Issues

Under the general category of breathing and lung problems, water damage in a home contributes to all these respiratory issues, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):

• Nasal congestion
• Rhinitis
• Inflammation of the nose and throat
• Asthma

Allergic Reactions

If you spot black mold, you need black mold repair and remediation from professionals as quickly as possible. This type of mold causes major allergic reactions in all ages, said by both the EPA and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC):

• Stuffy or runny nose
• Wheezing
• Red or itchy eyes or skin
• Fever
• Shortness of breath

Issues for Immunocompromised Individuals

For Arizonans with compromised immune or respiratory systems, water damage is especially dangerous. A water restoration company can help identify hazards from water damage, but you should take special precautions with household members or employees who can be very adversely affected by dampness, standing water, and the bacterial growths water damage brings.

The CDC points out that people with weakened immune systems (Arizonans receiving cancer treatment, residents who have had organ or stem cell transplants, and taking immune system suppressants) are more likely to get mold infections.

Not All Water is Clear

With water damage, there is always the chance that the water becomes contaminated by sewage and other chemicals. Typical diseases and bacteria in contaminated water include a horrific list as outlined by the Indiana State Department of Health:

• Campylobacteriosis
• Cryptosporidiosis
• Escherichia coli diarrhea
• Encephalitis
• Gastroenteritis
• Giardiasis
• Hepatitis A
• Leptospirosis
• Methaemoglobinaemia
• Paratyphoid Fever
• Poliomyelitis
• Salmonellosis
• Shigellosis
• Typhoid Fever
• Yersiniosis

That’s why it’s critical to call a professional for water damage restoration right away if you suspect water damage in your home or business.

Mental Health

Your home or office is supposed to be a comfortable, safe, nurturing place. When water damage ruins belongings and weakens structural components, you feel stressed, are susceptible to slips and falls, and face constant worry. The Public Library of Science (PLoS) outlines problems like post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety caused by flooding and water damage.

Even in Arizona’s beautiful desert landscape, the best answer for any water damage in your home or business is to call EHS, your local, trusted restoration company. Contact us today to learn more about preventing health issues caused by water damage.