PlusAmid Health Risks, Iowa Residents Start Clean UpAmid Health Risks, Iowa Residents Start Clean UpThe Associated PressOfficials in Cedar Rapids, Iowa have asked returning residents to protect themselves as they clean up and walk around in contaminated floodwaters. Health officials are seeing illnesses, including diarrhea, that are related to the flood. (June 17)[Notes:ANCHOR VOICE] (video of people in their homes) THE PERIMETER IS SHRINKING AROUND FLOODED CEDAR RAPIDS HOMES. MORE PEOPLE ARE BEING ALLOWED BACK IN THEIR HOUSES…AND THEY ARE QUICKLY JUNKING BELONGINGS. THE CLEANUP PROCESS IS MESSY AND HAZARDOUS.Dave Hughes/cleaning up”that ground out there is so contaminated I think the government ought to come in here and just buythis area up.”(video of David Hughes working) DAVE HUGHES IS SAVING WHAT’S SALVAGEABLE AND HE’S GETTING PLENTY DIRTY IN THE PROCESS.(video of Dr. Sundermann working) MEDICAL DIRECTOR FOR ST LUKE’S EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT, DOCTOR RYAN SUNDERMANN SAYS CEDAR RAPIDIANS ARE ALREADY GETTING DHIAREA AMONG OTHER ILLNESSES RELATED TO THE FLOOD.Ryan Sundermann MD/Saint Luke’s Hospital”we’ve seen things I haven’t seen before. We’re getting patients coming in with an unusual rash on their lower legs. But it doesn’t look like an infectious adiology(sp) it looks like more of a contact dermititus that you would see from a chemical burn.”MARK CARLSON/STANDUP AUTHORITIES HAVE MADE IT CLEAR THAT FLOOD VICTIMS NEED TO BE WARRY OF THE UNSAFE WATER. THAT UNSAFE WATER LEFT BEHIND UNSAFE MUD AND THAT MUD IS NOW TURNING INTO DRY DUST AND DIRT WHICH IS GETTING INTO THE AIR AND DOCTORS SAY IT BE A GOOD IDEA TO WEAR ONE OF THESE MASKS DURING CLEANUP. (video of people wearing masks and protective gear) CALVIN VOELKER IS HELPING HIS FAMILY CLEANUP. THEY ARE ALL WEARING RESPITORY MASKS AND GLOVES FOR PROTECTION.Calvin Voelker/cleaning up”The sewage is backed up. It’s just really gross.”(video of people cleaning up) EVERYTHING FROM SEWAGE, FUEL, FERTILIZER AND THE UNKOWN MIXED INTO THE WATER CREATING A SOUP NO-ONE SHOULD DRINK.(video of car driving by stirring up dust) NOW IT’S FLYING THROUGH THE AIR EVERYTIME A CAR DRIVES THROUGH THE DIRTY STREETS. Ryan Sundermann, Md/Saint Luke’s Hospital”I would never discourage someone from wearing some sort of respitory protection. The stuff you buy at the hardwear store is sufficient probably, unless they are going to have prolonged exposures or if they are going to be doing extensive work on their houses.”(video of cleaning up junk) MANY PEOPLE ARE DOING EXTENSIVE CLEANUP WORK. LURKING IN THE DEBRIS ARE HEALTH HAZARDS JUST WAITING TO JUMP INSIDE A PERSON NOT TAKING THE RIGHT PRECAUSIONS. MARK CARLSON, AP, CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA. (****END****)