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Overview
Hurricanes kick up mold spores and pollen and blow them all around, causing those with asthma to suffer severely. Hurricanes have other effects on asthma symptoms as well. Loss of electric power means people cannot run air conditioning to filter out allergens and flooding in warm areas can easily create mold in homes. In addition, people under stress are more prone to asthma attacks. With a high frequency of hurricanes along the Gulf coast of the United States from 2005 through 2008, numerous people with asthma were affected.
Wind and Pollen
Under normal circumstances, many asthma patients might only experience some mild hay fever symptoms, but Texas physician Joseph Perez saw a large influx of asthma and allergy patients after Hurricane Ike hit there in 2008. He commented how any storms can worsen these conditions, but especially ones with winds of up to 110 miles per hour.
Windows and Pollen
Hurricanes often knock out power, leaving allergy sufferers without air conditioning and having to open windows for cool air. Pollen and mold spores stirred up by hurricane winds will then be blown directly into people's homes. When a hurricane coincides with an allergy season, as Hurricane Ike did at the beginning of autumn, Perez calls it "allergy mayhem."
FEMA Trailers
Trailers issued to people left homeless by hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005 aggravated asthma symptoms for many people because of hazardous levels of formaldehyde fumes. The Federal Emergency Management Agency had provided over 100,000 trailers, which were constructed of cheap materials and were not suitable for continuous living situations. People experienced various health issues, including asthma attacks and other breathing problems. In early 2008, federal health officials began encouraging people to move out of the trailers.
Mold
Water damage from hurricanes can cause indoor mold. Flooding and leaky roofs, along with a warm climate, can create serious effects, particularly when people are unable to deal with the problem immediately. Even salvaging possessions from homes results in the release of millions of mold spores into the air. Mold growth can cause asthma symptoms even in people who previously did not have asthma.
Potential Solutions
After a hurricane, people with asthma should avoid being outside on windy days as much as possible, as well as during the early morning when mold and pollen counts are highest. They also should avoid hanging laundry outside. Debris from trees must be removed to reduce outdoor mold growth in residential areas. If possible, people should keep windows closed in their home, business and cars, so that the allergens do not blow inside. If electricity is out and it is uncomfortably warm at home, people should spend time in air-conditioned areas as much as possible.
