Appendix C: Winter Storms
Children are vulnerable to environmental health hazards after a winter storm due to their increased risk of hypothermia, frostbite, and respiratory issues from cold air, along with limited access to heat, healthcare, and safe food or water during disruptions.
Common Environmental Hazards
| Environmental Health Hazard | How a winter storms might affect children's health |
|---|---|
| Air: Indoor Air Quality | During winter storms, power outages may limit heating systems and ventilation, leading to indoor air quality issues such as carbon monoxide buildup or increased humidity that fosters mold growth. Children, with their developing respiratory systems and higher respiratory rates, are more vulnerable to these pollutants, which can cause asthma, respiratory infections, and other health problems. |
| Air: Outdoor Air Quality | Severe winter storms can create outdoor air quality issues by contributing to increased pollution from vehicle emissions (if roads are cleared with salt or other chemicals) and the use of alternative heating sources like wood stoves or generators. Children are more susceptible to these pollutants, which can irritate their lungs and exacerbate asthma or cause other respiratory problems. |
| Chemical: Asbestos | In older homes, winter storms can cause structural damage that may release harmful substances like asbestos into the air. Children are especially vulnerable to inhaling asbestos fibers, which can lead to long-term respiratory issues, including lung cancer and mesothelioma, due to their smaller lungs and higher exposure rates. |
| Chemical: Combustion Byproducts | The use of space heaters, wood stoves, and other alternative heating sources during power outages can lead to the release of combustion byproducts like carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and particulate matter. Children are more vulnerable to poisoning and respiratory distress from these gases, which can cause severe neurological effects and lung damage. |
| Chemical: Industrial Chemicals | Winter storms can disrupt industrial activities or storage, leading to the release of hazardous chemicals into the environment. Children are more vulnerable to chemical exposure from damaged industrial sites, as they may have increased chances of direct contact with contaminated areas, leading to poisoning or long-term health effects. |
| Chemical: Lead & Heavy Metals | If a winter storm causes widespread flooding or damage to industrial sites, heavy metals like lead or mercury may be released into the environment. Children are particularly at risk from exposure to these metals, which can cause developmental delays, neurological damage, and other serious health complications. |
| Chemical: Pesticides & Herbicides | Flooding or damage caused by a winter storm can displace pesticides or herbicides from agricultural areas, potentially contaminating residential areas. Children's developing bodies make them more susceptible to the toxic effects of these chemicals, which can lead to neurological or developmental harm. |
| Debris & Physical Hazards | Winter storms often cause trees to fall, power lines to break, and structures to collapse, creating significant debris. Children are more likely to be injured by falling trees, flying debris, or by becoming trapped in collapsed structures, especially when they are playing outdoors or in uninspected areas. |
| Extreme Cold | Winter storms often cause trees to fall, power lines to break, and structures to collapse, creating significant debris. Children are more likely to be injured by falling trees, flying debris, or by becoming trapped in collapsed structures, especially when they are playing outdoors or in uninspected areas. |
| Extreme Heat | Extreme heat is not a typical environmental hazard during winter storms. |
| Pest Management | As winter storms displace pests like rodents seeking shelter indoors, they may introduce new health risks. Children are more vulnerable to diseases carried by pests, such as leptospirosis from rodents, or illnesses caused by pests like ticks, fleas, and mosquitoes in areas where these animals may invade homes. |
| Water: Damage & Mold | Winter storms may cause flooding or frozen pipes to burst, leading to water damage and the potential growth of mold in homes, schools, and other buildings. Children are more likely to develop respiratory issues, allergies, or asthma exacerbations due to exposure to mold spores and damp environments. |
| Water: Drinking Water Safety | If winter storms cause power outages, water treatment plants may stop functioning properly, potentially leading to contamination of drinking water with bacteria or chemicals. Children are particularly vulnerable to gastrointestinal illnesses and dehydration from consuming contaminated water. |
| Water: Sewage & Wastewater Contaminants | Winter storms can cause sewage systems to back up or fail, leading to the release of untreated sewage into water sources. Children, especially those exposed to raw sewage or floodwaters, are more at risk for waterborne diseases like E. coli, cholera, and other gastrointestinal illnesses. |
Educational Resources
Lessons Learned: Extreme Cold | ASPR TRACIE: This Topic Collection the most robust and most useful peer-reviewed and other public and privately developed materials (e.g., fact sheets, technical briefs, articles, toolkits, webinars, and plans) helpful to stakeholders in improving healthcare system preparedness and resilience.
Severe Weather 101 | NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory: Understanding winter weather and the science behind the forecast.
Winter Weather | Ready.gov: Preparing for and staying safe during tornadoes.
Snow and Ice | EPA: Environmental protection considerations after a snow or ice storm.
Responding to Natural Disasters and Extreme Weather | Emergency Preparedness | CDC: The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has created a document communicating key messages associated to the multiple hazards related to storms, floods, and hurricanes. The document is available for employers, emergency response and recovery workers, and volunteers.
Winter Storm Safety | American Red Cross: Learn how to stay safe during a blizzard and how to prevent or thaw frozen pipes.