Appendix C: Tsunami
During recovery from a catastrophic tsunami, children may face environmental health risks such as waterborne diseases, exposure to mold and contaminated food, and injuries from lingering debris, all of which can severely impact their developing immune systems and respiratory health.
Common Environmental Hazards
| Environmental Health Hazard | How a tsunami might affect children's health |
|---|---|
| Air: Indoor Air Quality | Tsunamis can cause widespread flooding and water damage, potentially leading to mold growth in homes, schools, and other buildings. Children are more susceptible to mold-related respiratory problems, such as asthma, coughing, and allergic reactions, due to their higher breathing rates and developing lungs. |
| Air: Outdoor Air Quality | Tsunamis may stir up dust, debris, and contaminants in the air, reducing outdoor air quality. Children are particularly vulnerable to respiratory distress from inhaling particulate matter, dust, or chemicals carried by the waves or debris, as their airways are smaller and more sensitive. |
| Chemical: Asbestos | Tsunami waves may damage older buildings and infrastructure that contain asbestos, releasing harmful fibers into the air. Children, with their smaller lungs and increased rate of breathing, are more susceptible to long-term health effects from asbestos exposure, including lung disease and cancers. |
| Chemical: Combustion Byproducts | Tsunamis can lead to fires in affected areas, and the aftermath may include the release of combustion byproducts, such as carbon monoxide, VOCs, and smoke. Children are more vulnerable to the toxic effects of these chemicals due to their developing respiratory systems and higher rates of exposure. |
| Chemical: Industrial Chemicals | Tsunami flooding can damage industrial facilities and release hazardous chemicals like solvents, fuels, and other toxic substances into the environment. Children are more vulnerable to these chemicals, which can cause poisoning, respiratory distress, and neurological effects. |
| Chemical: Lead & Heavy Metals | Tsunami waves can disturb industrial or construction sites that contain heavy metals, such as lead, mercury, or cadmium. Children are particularly at risk for absorbing these metals, which can lead to neurological damage, developmental delays, and other health problems. |
| Chemical: Pesticides & Herbicides | Tsunamis can wash agricultural chemicals, such as pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers, into nearby environments. Children are particularly vulnerable to these chemicals, which can lead to neurological issues, developmental delays, and acute poisoning from contact or ingestion. |
| Debris & Physical Hazards | Tsunamis generate massive amounts of debris, including wreckage from buildings, vehicles, trees, and other structures. Children are at an increased risk of injury from sharp objects, falling debris, or getting trapped in collapsed structures or debris piles. |
| Extreme Cold | In some tsunami-affected regions, if the disaster occurs during colder months, children may be exposed to cold weather due to damage to homes, lack of shelter, or power outages. Prolonged exposure to cold can lead to hypothermia, frostbite, or other cold-related illnesses in children, who are more vulnerable to temperature extremes. |
| Extreme Heat | If a tsunami causes power outages or disrupts cooling systems in warmer climates, children may be at risk for heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion or heatstroke. With the added stress of the disaster aftermath, children's risk of dehydration or overheating increases due to their smaller bodies and higher energy demands. |
| Pest Management | Tsunami flooding can displace insects, rodents, and other pests, pushing them into homes, schools, and shelters. Children are more vulnerable to pest-borne diseases, such as leptospirosis from rodents or insect-borne illnesses like Zika, West Nile virus, or malaria. |
| Water: Damage & Mold | Floodwaters from a tsunami often cause extensive damage to buildings, which can lead to mold growth in schools, homes, and public spaces. Children, with their developing immune systems and respiratory systems, are more vulnerable to the harmful effects of mold exposure, including respiratory issues and allergic reactions. |
| Water: Drinking Water Safety | Tsunami flooding can contaminate drinking water supplies with bacteria, chemicals, and other pollutants. Children are at increased risk for waterborne diseases, including diarrhea, vomiting, and other gastrointestinal illnesses, from drinking or coming into contact with contaminated water. |
| Water: Sewage & Wastewater Contaminants | Tsunamis can overwhelm sewage and wastewater systems, causing the release of untreated waste into the environment. Children are more susceptible to waterborne diseases, such as E. coli, cholera, and other gastrointestinal infections, from exposure to contaminated water sources. |
Educational Resources
Lessons Learned: Tsunamis | 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.
Tsunamis and Tsunami Hazards | U.S. Geological Survey: Explains how a tsunami forms and describes the life cycle of a tsunami.
Tsunamis | Ready.gov: Preparing for and staying safe during tornadoes.
Tsunami | EPA: Environmental considerations to prepare for and recover after a tsunami.
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.
Tsunami Preparedness | American Red Cross Learn how, why, and where to evacuate if conditions suggest a tsunami risk in your area.