title: Microbial and chemical contamination during and after flooding in the Ohio River-Kentucky, 2011.
abstract: Surface water contaminants in Kentucky during and after 2011 flooding were characterized. Surface water samples were collected during flood stage (May 2-4, 2011; n = 15) and after (July 25-26, 2011; n = 8) from four different cities along the Ohio River and were analyzed for the presence of microbial indicators, pathogens, metals, and chemical contaminants. Contaminant concentrations during and after flooding were compared using linear and logistic regression. Surface water samples collected during flooding had higher levels of E. coli, enterococci, Salmonella, Campylobacter, E. coli O157:H7, adenovirus, arsenic, copper, iron, lead, and zinc compared to surface water samples collected 3-months post-flood (P < 0.05). These results suggest that flooding increases microbial and chemical loads in surface water. These findings reinforce commonly recommended guidelines to limit exposure to flood water and to appropriately sanitize contaminated surfaces and drinking wells after contamination by flood water.
authors: a National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Atlanta , Georgia , USA.
authors: Ellen E
authors: EE
authors: Yard
authors: Matthew W
authors: MW
authors: Murphy
authors: Chandra
authors: C
authors: Schneeberger
authors: Jothikumar
authors: J
authors: Narayanan
authors: Elizabeth
authors: E
authors: Hoo
authors: Alexander
authors: A
authors: Freiman
authors: Lauren S
authors: LS
authors: Lewis
authors: Vincent R
authors: VR
authors: Hill
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D055868:Floods; D007629:Kentucky; D045483:Rivers / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000382:microbiology*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*; D014876:Water Pollution / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: Natural disaster; emergency response; floods