Health Risks from Raw Sewage in Illinois Residents’ Basements

July 2, 2012 - PRLog -- Several months ago, about a half dozen residents in Lindenhurst came home to discover raw sewage had backed up into their basements.  The sanitary sewer overflow (SSO) resulted when a city sewer line became blocked.  

Residents are facing thousands of dollars in remediation costs and some residents have expressed concerns that their property insurance coverage may not completely cover the damages.   Mayor Susan Lahr has apologized to the city’s residents.

Since raw sewage was involved there are a wide range of potential indoor environmental hazards for the affected homeowners that may include viruses, mold and bacteria.  One particular concern is endotoxins.  Endotoxins are a type of bacterial toxin that is located in the cell wall component of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria.  

Human exposure to endotoxins can be a real concern following a flood or sewage contamination event.  Bacteria such as E. coli, Salmonella, and Helicobacter, which are often associated with these events, are all Gram-negative types of bacteria.  

“Human exposure to endotoxins with healthy people is a major concern, and even more so for people who are already sick or have a weakened immune system,” reported Ed Chambers, President of EC2, a leading Chicago area environmental and building science consulting firm. “Both building inhabitants, and restoration and remediation contractors, who help clean up and rebuild after these events may be exposed to these harmful toxins.  Not only can people be directly exposed to endotoxins by touching contaminated materials, but they can also breathe these toxins if they have become airborne during the drying or removal process,” he continued.

EC2 has sponsored an educational video about endotoxins that can be seen at:
http://youtu.be/8BhgznFE9Ow



To learn more about how EC2 can help test to ensure properties are safe from endotoxins or other IAQ issues, please visit http://www.4ec2inc.com, email info@4ec2inc.com or call (815) 703-9000.

About EC2, Inc.
EC2 is a leading provider of environmental consulting and inspection services for clients across the United States.  Based in the Chicago area, the company provides their services to clients ranging from local companies and institutions to international Fortune 500 Corporations.