Household Chemicals; Tanks, Drums and Barrels; Avoiding Asbestos Exposure; Animal Carcass Disposal

Jefferson City, MO - infoZine - Household Chemicals: Recent flooding has left behind numerous types of debris, including common household chemicals. Though these items may seem harmless, extreme caution should be used when cleaning up damaged containers and chemicals.

Wear rubber gloves, avoid breathing fumes or dust and only work in a well-ventilated area. Do not combine products. Household hazardous wastes should be separated from other wastes before disposal. Never dump chemicals down drains, storm sewers or toilets. Also, never burn these products. If no collection program is available, household hazardous waste may be taken to a permitted sanitary landfill.

Tanks, Drums and Barrels: Recent flooding may have scattered sealed tanks, drums and barrels onto neighboring properties.

These items should only be handled by trained professionals, as they may contain dangerous materials. Contact the Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Environmental Emergency Response (EER) at 573-634-2436 or your local fire department for assistance.

If a propane tank is found in disaster debris, a gas distribution company may be able to identify the tank and return it to its place of origin. Propane tanks have serial numbers to help identify owners. Unknown propane tanks and cylinders can be associated with methamphetamine drug production and could be dangerous. If a propane tank or above-ground storage tank is believed to be dangerous, call the department's EER.

Avoiding Asbestos Exposure: Those cleaning up damage caused by recent flooding should take precautions to avoid exposure to asbestos, which can cause scarring of the lungs, mesothelioma and lung cancer. Asbestos was used in a variety of building materials but structures built since 1980 should not contain significant amounts of asbestos.

Institutional, public, industrial or residential structures, excluding residential structures that contain four or fewer dwelling units, must be inspected by a Missouri-certified asbestos inspector for the presence of asbestos prior to being cleaned up, renovated or demolished. Debris should be kept wet to minimize asbestos emissions.

Animal Carcass Disposal: Unfortunately, recent flooding may have left behind animal carcasses. These carcasses should be properly disposed of to prevent the spread of disease.

Animal producers affected by the recent floods should begin by assessing the impact of the disaster on their animals and their property. View the site, take photographs and make a written self-estimate of damage. Note the number of animals originally on site, the approximate number and size of dead animals, uninjured animals and their needs, animals that remain unaccounted and the condition of confinement buildings and enclosures. This information will be helpful when talking to agencies and relief organizations, as well as creating cleanup plans.

Dead animals should be disposed of within 24 hours or as soon as it is safe to do so. Use the following methods, which are listed in order of most preferable:

• Processing at a rendering plant;
  
• On-site composting as recommended by University of Missouri Extension;
  
• disposal in a sanitary landfill;
  
• Incineration in a UM service-designed agricultural incinerator or a state-permitted commercial incinerator, or;
  
• On-site burial following state law's standard loading limitations. Call your local Missouri Department of Natural Resources regional office for information on loading limitations in your area.

Some of these options may not be realistic, so be conscientious but practical.

Missourians seeking resource referrals or non-emergency help, as well as those wanting to volunteer, are urged to call 211. The 211 Service is now available for most areas of Missouri and helps citizens with disaster information and referrals. In areas where 211 is not operational, citizens may call 800-427-4626. Information is also available on the Web at www.211missouri.org, or by e-mailing

The Department of Natural Resources also has additional resources available to help guide flood cleanup efforts available on its Web site at www.dnr.mo.gov/disaster.htm.
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