Tornadoes, Hurricanes & Earthquakes

Learn how each of these events can cause risks to lung health:

Earthquakes

Other than knowing you live in an area prone to earthquakes, there generally isn’t warning that an earthquake is about to occur. After an earthquake it is common to experience less severe aftershocks. These jolting events have the potential to damage or destroy structures that could send harmful pollutants into the air.

Hurricanes

Hurricanes, often accompanied by flooding, pose many potential lung health risks from contaminated standing water. During and after a hurricane, you are at risk of coming into contact with bacteria, mold and toxic substances from damaged buildings that can make you sick.

Tornadoes 

Tornadoes and the accompanying rainfall and flooding can cause major air pollution. This pollution comes from various sources and can be easily seen in the flying dust and dirt. Tornadoes have the power to destroy containers that store toxic pollutants or structures that contain materials such asbestos. Read more about How Tornadoes May Be Affecting Your Air Quality on our blog. 

For each of these disasters, the accompanying rainfall and flooding may also threaten your family or your home. While cleaning up you'll want to protect your family, especially if someone has lung disease, from the many indoor and outdoor air pollutants and other health threats that can make them sick.

Below are some resources that can help.