<!--[if lte IE 8 ]>
    <script type="text/javascript">
    window.location = " /chrome-frame";
    </script>
<![endif]-->

<!DOCTYPE html>
<!--[if IE 9 ]><html class="ie9" lang="en-US" prefix="og: http://ogp.me/ns# fb: http://ogp.me/ns/fb#"> <![endif]-->
<!--[if (gt IE 9)|!(IE)]><!--> <html lang="en-US" prefix="og: http://ogp.me/ns# fb: http://ogp.me/ns/fb#"> <!--<![endif]-->
<head profile="http://gmpg.org/xfn/11">

	<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html" charset="UTF-8" />
	
			<title>Hurricane Harvey Is Over, But the Public Health Impact is Just Beginning</title>
	
	
			<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1, maximum-scale=1, user-scalable=0"/>
	
	<link rel="shortcut icon" type="image/png" href="//futurism.com/wp-content/themes/futurism/images/favicon.png?v=7"/>
	<link href="https://plus.google.com/105539835268628064086" rel="publisher" />

		<meta property="fb:pages" content="352364611609411" />
	
	<script type='text/javascript'>
	var _sf_startpt=(new Date()).getTime()
	</script>

	
	<!-- For Naytev -->
	<!--<meta property="og:url" content="http://social.futurism.com/hurricane-harvey-is-over-but-the-public-health-impact-is-just-beginning/"/>-->
			<meta property="article:published_time" content="2017-09-04T09:03:35+00:00" />
		<link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" sizes="144x144" href="//futurism.com/wp-content/themes/futurism/images/apple-touch-icon-144x144-precomposed.png">
	<link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" sizes="114x114" href="//futurism.com/wp-content/themes/futurism/images/apple-touch-icon-114x114-precomposed.png">
	<link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" sizes="72x72" href="//futurism.com/wp-content/themes/futurism/images/apple-touch-icon-72x72-precomposed.png">
	<link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" href="//futurism.com/wp-content/themes/futurism/images/apple-touch-icon-precomposed.png">

			<!-- Freestar Head Configuration -->
		<script data-cfasync="false" type="text/javascript">
			var freestar = freestar || {};
			freestar.hitTime = Date.now();
			freestar.queue = freestar.queue || [];
			freestar.config = freestar.config || {};
			freestar.debug = window.location.search.indexOf('fsdebug') === -1 ? false : true;

			// Tag IDs set here, must match Tags served in the Body for proper setup
			freestar.config.enabled_slots = [
				"Futurism_970x250_970x90_728x90_300x250_320x50_320x100_inlist_2",
				"Futurism_970x250_970x90_728x90_300x250_320x50_320x100_inlist_3",
				"Futurism_970x250_970x90_728x90_300x250_320x50_320x100_inlist_1",
				"Futurism_970x250_970x90_728x90_300x250_320x50_320x100_inlist_4",
				"Futurism_970x250_970x90_728x90_300x250_320x50_320x100_inlist_5",
				"Futurism_970x250_970x90_728x90_Video",
				"Futurism_300x600_300x250_right",
				"Futurism_468x60_300x250_320x100_320x50_inarticle_5",
				"Futurism_468x60_300x250_320x100_320x50_inarticle_1",
				"Futurism_468x60_300x250_320x100_320x50_inarticle_3",
				"Futurism_468x60_300x250_320x100_320x50_inarticle_4",
				"Futurism_468x60_300x250_320x100_320x50_inarticle_2"
			];

			!function(a,b){var c=b.getElementsByTagName("script")[0],d=b.createElement("script"),e="https://a.pub.network/futurism-com";e+=freestar.debug?"/qa/pubfig.min.js":"/pubfig.min.js",d.async=!0,d.src=e,c.parentNode.insertBefore(d,c)}(window,document);
		</script><!-- /Freestar Head Configuration -->
	
	
		
<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v5.2 - https://yoast.com/wordpress/plugins/seo/ -->
<meta name="description" content="With standing water inundating Houston and many residents cut off from medical help, experts say the city&#039;s public health crisis is just beginning."/>
<link rel="canonical" href="https://futurism.com/hurricane-harvey-is-over-but-the-public-health-impact-is-just-beginning/" />
<meta property="og:locale" content="en_US" />
<meta property="og:type" content="article" />
<meta property="og:title" content="Hurricane Harvey is over, but its health impacts have just begun" />
<meta property="og:description" content="Mosquito-borne disease and water contamination are just the beginning of experts&#039; concerns." />
<meta property="og:url" content="https://futurism.com/hurricane-harvey-is-over-but-the-public-health-impact-is-just-beginning/" />
<meta property="og:site_name" content="Futurism" />
<meta property="article:publisher" content="http://facebook.com/futurism" />
<meta property="article:tag" content="floodwater damage" />
<meta property="article:tag" content="hurricane harvey" />
<meta property="article:tag" content="public health" />
<meta property="article:section" content="Health &amp; Medicine" />
<meta property="article:published_time" content="2017-09-04T09:03:35-05:00" />
<meta property="article:modified_time" content="2017-11-29T22:13:08-05:00" />
<meta property="og:updated_time" content="2017-11-29T22:13:08-05:00" />
<meta property="fb:app_id" content="319895261536105" />
<meta property="og:image" content="https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/GettyImages-841657274-600x315.jpg" />
<meta property="og:image:secure_url" content="https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/GettyImages-841657274-600x315.jpg" />
<meta property="og:image:width" content="600" />
<meta property="og:image:height" content="315" />
<meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image" />
<meta name="twitter:description" content="With standing water inundating Houston and many residents cut off from medical help, experts say the city&#039;s public health crisis is just beginning." />
<meta name="twitter:title" content="Hurricane Harvey Is Over, But the Public Health Impact is Just Beginning" />
<meta name="twitter:site" content="@futurism" />
<meta name="twitter:image" content="https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/GettyImages-841657274-600x315.jpg?v=474008828" />
<meta name="twitter:creator" content="@KarlaLant" />
<!-- / Yoast SEO plugin. -->

<link rel='dns-prefetch' href='//s.w.org' />
<link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="Futurism &raquo; Hurricane Harvey Is Over, But the Public Health Impact is Just Beginning Comments Feed" href="https://futurism.com/hurricane-harvey-is-over-but-the-public-health-impact-is-just-beginning/feed/" />
		<script type="text/javascript">
			window._wpemojiSettings = {"baseUrl":"https:\/\/s.w.org\/images\/core\/emoji\/2.3\/72x72\/","ext":".png","svgUrl":"https:\/\/s.w.org\/images\/core\/emoji\/2.3\/svg\/","svgExt":".svg","source":{"concatemoji":"https:\/\/futurism.com\/wp-includes\/js\/wp-emoji-release.min.js?ver=4.8.2"}};
			!function(a,b,c){function d(a){var b,c,d,e,f=String.fromCharCode;if(!k||!k.fillText)return!1;switch(k.clearRect(0,0,j.width,j.height),k.textBaseline="top",k.font="600 32px Arial",a){case"flag":return k.fillText(f(55356,56826,55356,56819),0,0),b=j.toDataURL(),k.clearRect(0,0,j.width,j.height),k.fillText(f(55356,56826,8203,55356,56819),0,0),c=j.toDataURL(),b!==c&&(k.clearRect(0,0,j.width,j.height),k.fillText(f(55356,57332,56128,56423,56128,56418,56128,56421,56128,56430,56128,56423,56128,56447),0,0),b=j.toDataURL(),k.clearRect(0,0,j.width,j.height),k.fillText(f(55356,57332,8203,56128,56423,8203,56128,56418,8203,56128,56421,8203,56128,56430,8203,56128,56423,8203,56128,56447),0,0),c=j.toDataURL(),b!==c);case"emoji4":return k.fillText(f(55358,56794,8205,9794,65039),0,0),d=j.toDataURL(),k.clearRect(0,0,j.width,j.height),k.fillText(f(55358,56794,8203,9794,65039),0,0),e=j.toDataURL(),d!==e}return!1}function e(a){var c=b.createElement("script");c.src=a,c.defer=c.type="text/javascript",b.getElementsByTagName("head")[0].appendChild(c)}var f,g,h,i,j=b.createElement("canvas"),k=j.getContext&&j.getContext("2d");for(i=Array("flag","emoji4"),c.supports={everything:!0,everythingExceptFlag:!0},h=0;h<i.length;h++)c.supports[i[h]]=d(i[h]),c.supports.everything=c.supports.everything&&c.supports[i[h]],"flag"!==i[h]&&(c.supports.everythingExceptFlag=c.supports.everythingExceptFlag&&c.supports[i[h]]);c.supports.everythingExceptFlag=c.supports.everythingExceptFlag&&!c.supports.flag,c.DOMReady=!1,c.readyCallback=function(){c.DOMReady=!0},c.supports.everything||(g=function(){c.readyCallback()},b.addEventListener?(b.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",g,!1),a.addEventListener("load",g,!1)):(a.attachEvent("onload",g),b.attachEvent("onreadystatechange",function(){"complete"===b.readyState&&c.readyCallback()})),f=c.source||{},f.concatemoji?e(f.concatemoji):f.wpemoji&&f.twemoji&&(e(f.twemoji),e(f.wpemoji)))}(window,document,window._wpemojiSettings);
		</script>
		<style type="text/css">
img.wp-smiley,
img.emoji {
	display: inline !important;
	border: none !important;
	box-shadow: none !important;
	height: 1em !important;
	width: 1em !important;
	margin: 0 .07em !important;
	vertical-align: -0.1em !important;
	background: none !important;
	padding: 0 !important;
}
</style>
<link rel='stylesheet' id='ajaxed-comments-front-css'  href='https://futurism.com/wp-content/plugins/ajaxed-comments/css/front.css?ver=4.8.2' type='text/css' media='all' />
<link rel='stylesheet' id='ajaxed-comments-colors-css'  href='https://futurism.com/wp-content/plugins/ajaxed-comments/css/colors.css?1518661549&#038;ver=4.8.2' type='text/css' media='all' />
<link rel='stylesheet' id='futurism-ad-inserter-css'  href='https://futurism.com/wp-content/plugins/futurism-ad-inserter/public/css/futurism-ad-inserter-public.css?ver=1.0.0' type='text/css' media='all' />
<link rel='stylesheet' id='futurism-multisite-sync-css'  href='https://futurism.com/wp-content/plugins/futurism-multisite-sync/public/css/futurism-multisite-sync-public.css?ver=1.0.0' type='text/css' media='all' />
<link rel='stylesheet' id='collapseomatic-css-css'  href='https://futurism.com/wp-content/plugins/jquery-collapse-o-matic/dark_style.css?ver=1.6' type='text/css' media='all' />
<link rel='stylesheet' id='wp-glossary-css-css'  href='https://futurism.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-glossary/css/wp-glossary.css?ver=4.8.2' type='text/css' media='all' />
<link rel='stylesheet' id='wp-glossary-qtip-css-css'  href='https://futurism.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-glossary/ext/jquery.qtip.css?ver=4.8.2' type='text/css' media='all' />
<link rel='stylesheet' id='wp-pagenavi-css'  href='https://futurism.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-pagenavi/pagenavi-css.css?ver=2.70' type='text/css' media='all' />
<link rel='stylesheet' id='stylesheet-css'  href='//futurism.com/wp-content/themes/futurism/css/style.css?rel=1513195982924&#038;ver=4.8.2' type='text/css' media='' />
      <script>
      if (document.location.protocol != "https:") {
          document.location = document.URL.replace(/^http:/i, "https:");
      }
      </script>
      <script type='text/javascript' src='//futurism.com/wp-content/themes/futurism/js/jquery-1.9.1.min.js?ver=4.8.2'></script>
<script type='text/javascript' src='https://futurism.com/wp-content/plugins/hethens-voting/js/hethens-voting.js?ver=4.8.2'></script>
<script type='text/javascript' src='https://futurism.com/wp-content/plugins/ajaxed-comments/js/jquery.countdown.min.js?ver=4.8.2'></script>
<script type='text/javascript' src='https://futurism.com/wp-includes/js/jquery/jquery.color.min.js?ver=2.1.1'></script>
<script type='text/javascript'>
/* <![CDATA[ */
var acArgs = {"editCommEffect":"fade","showEffect":"fade","hideEffect":"fade","timeToHide":"3","hideInlineActions":"yes","ajaxurl":"https:\/\/futurism.com\/wp-admin\/admin-ajax.php","untrash":"Restore","trash":"Trash","unspam":"Unspam","spam":"Spam","unapprove":"Unapprove","approve":"Approve","holdColor":"#ffffe0","trashColor":"#ffaaaa","spamColor":"#fff1cc","highlightComments":"yes","timer":"no","errUnknown":"Error has occurred. Please try again later or reload a page.","errEmptyComment":"Comment is empty.","deleteComment":"Are you sure you want to delete this comment?"};
/* ]]> */
</script>
<script type='text/javascript' src='https://futurism.com/wp-content/plugins/ajaxed-comments/js/front.js?ver=4.4.2'></script>
<script type='text/javascript' src='https://futurism.com/wp-content/plugins/futurism-ad-inserter/public/js/futurism-ad-inserter-public.js?ver=1.0.0'></script>
<script type='text/javascript' src='https://futurism.com/wp-content/plugins/futurism-multisite-sync/public/js/futurism-multisite-sync-public.js?ver=1.0.0'></script>
<script type='text/javascript' src='https://futurism.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-ajaxify-comments/js/wp-ajaxify-comments.min.js?ver=1.4.0'></script>
<script type='text/javascript' src='//futurism.com/wp-content/themes/futurism/js/minified/scripts.min.js?rel=1503091499529&#038;ver=4.8.2'></script>
<link rel='https://api.w.org/' href='https://futurism.com/wp-json/' />
<link rel="EditURI" type="application/rsd+xml" title="RSD" href="https://futurism.com/xmlrpc.php?rsd" />
<link rel="wlwmanifest" type="application/wlwmanifest+xml" href="https://futurism.com/wp-includes/wlwmanifest.xml" /> 
<meta name="generator" content="WordPress 4.8.2" />
<link rel='shortlink' href='https://futurism.com/?p=99199' />
<link rel="alternate" type="application/json+oembed" href="https://futurism.com/wp-json/oembed/1.0/embed?url=https%3A%2F%2Ffuturism.com%2Fhurricane-harvey-is-over-but-the-public-health-impact-is-just-beginning%2F" />
<link rel="alternate" type="text/xml+oembed" href="https://futurism.com/wp-json/oembed/1.0/embed?url=https%3A%2F%2Ffuturism.com%2Fhurricane-harvey-is-over-but-the-public-health-impact-is-just-beginning%2F&#038;format=xml" />
			<meta property="fb:pages" content="futurism" />
							<meta property="ia:markup_url" content="https://futurism.com/hurricane-harvey-is-over-but-the-public-health-impact-is-just-beginning/?ia_markup=1" />
				<script type="text/javascript">var blogUrl = 'https://futurism.com'</script>
<script> var _USEEMBLEMS = "";
</script>
<script type="text/javascript">/* <![CDATA[ */if (!window["WPAC"]) var WPAC = {};WPAC._Options = {debug:false,selectorCommentForm:"#commentform",selectorCommentsContainer:"#comments",selectorCommentPagingLinks:"#comments [class^='nav-'] a",selectorCommentLinks:"#comments a[href*=\"/comment-page-\"]",selectorRespondContainer:"#respond",selectorErrorContainer:"p:parent",popupCornerRadius:5,popupMarginTop:10,popupWidth:30,popupPadding:5,popupFadeIn:400,popupFadeOut:400,popupTimeout:3000,popupBackgroundColorLoading:"#000",popupTextColorLoading:"#fff",popupBackgroundColorSuccess:"#008000",popupTextColorSuccess:"#fff",popupBackgroundColorError:"#f00",popupTextColorError:"#fff",popupOpacity:70,popupTextAlign:"center",popupTextFontSize:"Default font size",popupZindex:1000,scrollSpeed:750,autoUpdateIdleTime:0,textPosted:"Your comment has been posted. Thank you!",textPostedUnapproved:"Your comment has been posted and is awaiting moderation. Thank you!",textReloadPage:"Reloading page. Please wait&hellip;",textPostComment:"Posting your comment. Please wait&hellip;",textRefreshComments:"Loading comments. Please wait&hellip;",textUnknownError:"Something went wrong, your comment has not been posted.",selectorPostContainer:"",commentPagesUrlRegex:"",asyncLoadTrigger:"DomReady",disableUrlUpdate:true,disableScrollToAnchor:false,disableCache:false,enableByQuery:false,commentsEnabled:true,version:"1.4.0"};WPAC._Callbacks = {"beforeSelectElements": function(dom) {},"beforeUpdateComments": function(newDom, commentUrl) {},"afterUpdateComments": function(newDom, commentUrl) {},"beforeSubmitComment": function() {}};/* ]]> */</script>	<!-- Begin comScore Tag -->
	<script>
		var _comscore = _comscore || [];
		_comscore.push({ c1: "2", c2: "20667847" });
		(function() {
			var s = document.createElement("script"), el = document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0]; s.async = true;
			s.src = (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https://sb" : "http://b") + ".scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js";
			el.parentNode.insertBefore(s, el);
		})();
	</script>
	<noscript>
		<img src="https://b.scorecardresearch.com/p?c1=2&c2=20667847&cv=2.0&cj=1" />
	</noscript>
	<!-- End comScore Tag -->
		<script src="//futurism.com/wp-content/themes/futurism/js/jquery.waypoints.min.js"></script>
	<meta itemprop="image"  content="https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/GettyImages-841657274-600x315.jpg"><link rel="amphtml" href="https://futurism.com/hurricane-harvey-is-over-but-the-public-health-impact-is-just-beginning/amp/" />
	<!--[if IE]>
	<script src="https://html5shiv.googlecode.com/svn/trunk/html5.js"></script>
	<![endif]-->

	
			<script>
			(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){i['GoogleAnalyticsObject']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){
				(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),
				m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)
			})(window,document,'script','//www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js','ga');

			ga('create', 'UA-62711820-1', 'auto');
			
				ga('set', 'dimension3', 'Karla Lant');
				ga('send', 'pageview', {
					'dimension2' : 'Health &amp; Medicine'
				});

			
				</script>

		
			<!-- Facebook Pixel Code -->
			<script>
				!function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s){if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod?
					n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;
					n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0';n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0;
					t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window,
					document,'script','https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js');
				fbq('init', '286353685112848'); // Insert your pixel ID here.
				fbq('track', 'PageView');
			</script>
			<noscript><img height="1" width="1" style="display:none" src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=286353685112848&ev=PageView&noscript=1"/></noscript>
			<!-- DO NOT MODIFY -->
			<!-- End Facebook Pixel Code -->

			<!-- Quantcast Tag -->
			<script type="text/javascript">
			var _qevents = _qevents || [];

			(function() {
			var elem = document.createElement('script');
			elem.src = (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https://secure" : "http://edge") + ".quantserve.com/quant.js";
			elem.async = true;
			elem.type = "text/javascript";
			var scpt = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0];
			scpt.parentNode.insertBefore(elem, scpt);
			})();

			_qevents.push({
			qacct:"p-kgLMaSxES-m_A"
			});
			</script>

			<noscript>
			<div style="display:none;">
			<img src="//pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-kgLMaSxES-m_A.gif" border="0" height="1" width="1" alt="Quantcast"/>
			</div>
			</noscript>
			<!-- End Quantcast tag -->

			<script type="text/javascript">
			(function(e,t){var r=e.amplitude||{};var n=t.createElement("script");n.type="text/javascript";
			n.async=true;n.src="https://d24n15hnbwhuhn.cloudfront.net/libs/amplitude-2.4.0-min.gz.js";
			var s=t.getElementsByTagName("script")[0];s.parentNode.insertBefore(n,s);r._q=[];function a(e){
			r[e]=function(){r._q.push([e].concat(Array.prototype.slice.call(arguments,0)))}}var i=["init","logEvent","logRevenue","setUserId","setUserProperties","setOptOut","setVersionName","setDomain","setDeviceId","setGlobalUserProperties"];
			for(var o=0;o<i.length;o++){a(i[o])}e.amplitude=r})(window,document);
			amplitude.init("256a589ec851434cbc872a6b30d0de13");
			</script>

		
	
	
	
</head>


<body data-rsssl="1" class="post-template-default single single-post postid-99199 single-format-standard hide-header">

	<div id="fb-root"></div>
	<script>
		window.fbAsyncInit = function() {
			FB.init({
				appId      : '409372332760912',
				version    : 'v2.8',
				status     : true,
				cookie     : true,
				xfbml      : true,
				oauth      : true
			});
		};
		(function(d, s, id){
			var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];
			if (d.getElementById(id)) {return;}
			js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id;
			js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.8";
			fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);
		}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));
	</script>

	
	<div class="post-container">

	
		<div class="ajax-post post story">

			
<header class="header-minimal">

	
		<a class="logo" href="https://futurism.com/">
			<img src="//futurism.com/wp-content/themes/futurism/images/logo@2x.png?v=7" alt="Futurism">
			<img class="black" src="//futurism.com/wp-content/themes/futurism/images/logo-black@2x.png?v=3" alt="Futurism">
		</a>

	
	<div class="share">
		
	
	<div class="item facebook">
		<a class="js facebook" data-url="https://futurism.com/hurricane-harvey-is-over-but-the-public-health-impact-is-just-beginning/" data-desc="Although immediate concerns arising from Hurricane Harvey center upon rescuing residents from the water and treating injuries, experts point out that the public health crisis in the Houston area is just starting to unfold.">
			<i class="icon icon-facebook"></i>
					</a>
	</div>

	<div class="item twitter">
		<a class="twitter" title="Tweet This" href="https://twitter.com/share?text=Hurricane+Harvey+Is+Over%2C+But+the+Public+Health+Impact+is+Just+Beginning&url=https://futurism.com/hurricane-harvey-is-over-but-the-public-health-impact-is-just-beginning/&via=Futurism" target="_blank">
			<i class="icon icon-twitter"></i>
					</a>
	</div>

	<div class="item gplus">
		<a class="gplus" title="+1 this" href="https://plus.google.com/share?url=https://futurism.com/hurricane-harvey-is-over-but-the-public-health-impact-is-just-beginning/" target="_blank">
			<i class="icon icon-gplus"></i>
					</a>
	</div>

	<div class="item email">
		<a class="email" title="Email This" href="mailto:?subject=Check out this article&body=https://futurism.com/hurricane-harvey-is-over-but-the-public-health-impact-is-just-beginning/" target="_blank">
			<i class="icon icon-email"></i>
		</a>
	</div>

    
    	</div>

</header>


<script>
	$(function(){

		$(window).scroll(function() {
			var scrollTop = $(window).scrollTop(),
			header = $('.header-minimal');

			if (scrollTop <= 80) {
				header.removeClass('active');
			}else{
				header.addClass('active');
			}

		});
	});
</script>

<div class="story-hero cover-bg" style="background-image: url(https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/GettyImages-841657274.jpg);" data-wpex-post-id="99190">

	
	<section class="section">
		<div>
			
		<a class="post-category healthmedicine-cat" href="https://futurism.com/healthmedicine/">
			Health &amp; Medicine		</a>

								<h1 data-url="https://futurism.com/hurricane-harvey-is-over-but-the-public-health-impact-is-just-beginning/">Hurricane Harvey Is Over, But the Public Health Impact is Just Beginning</h1>

						<p class="authors">
				by
									<a class="avatar" href="https://futurism.com/author/karla/">
						Karla Lant					</a>
								 <span style="font-weight: 200;">on September 4, 2017</span>
				 <span class="social-share-total"><i class="icon icon-flame"></i><span>3350</span></span>				 			</p>
			
							<em class="image-source">
					<i class="icon icon-camera"></i>

											<a target="_blank" href="http://www.gettyimages.com/license/841657274">
							RoschetzkyIstockPhoto/Getty						</a>
					
					
					
				</em>
			
		</div>
	</section>

</div>

<div class="story-content">
	<section class="blog-content">

		
		<div class="post-content story">

			
			<div class="summary module">

								<!-- /302186235/F_1x1 -->
				<div id='div-gpt-ad-1490807329166-0' style='height:1px; width:1px; margin: 0 !important;'>
					<script>
						googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1490807329166-0'); });
					</script>
				</div>
				
				
				<h2>One Storm Follows Another</h2>
<p>In the early hours of August 26, Hurricane Harvey made landfall in Texas and began wreaking destruction. The storm has since dissipated, but based on the public health issues seen after Hurricane Katrina, <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/09/hurricane-harveys-public-health-nightmare/538767/" target="_blank">experts predict</a> major public-health emergencies, outbreaks, and environmental illnesses will only worsen Harvey&#8217;s wake. While Houston was better prepared for Harvey than the New Orleans area was for Katrina (thanks in part to hindsight and in part to better funding), there are only 400,000 people in New Orleans, whereas Harris County, which includes Houston and surrounding towns, is home to 6 million people.</p>
<p>So, what happens after the storm and initial surge of floodwaters?</p>
<h2>Contaminated Water</h2>
<p>As much as 30 percent of Harris County has been submerged in water, but contamination is just as serious a public health problem. “Pick a toxin, that&#8217;s going to be in the water,” American Public Health Association executive director <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/348620-five-public-health-crises-facing-houston-after-harvey" target="_blank">Dr. Georges Benjamin told </a><i><a href="http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/348620-five-public-health-crises-facing-houston-after-harvey" target="_blank">The Hill</a></i>. “Oil and grease and chemicals.” This is particularly true in Houston, a major oil and gas industry locus. Exxon Mobil Corporation <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2017/08/29/exxonmobil-refineries-damaged-in-hurricane-harvey-releasing-hazardous-pollutants/?tid=a_inl&amp;utm_term=.f83fad4b14b3" target="_blank">confirmed Tuesday</a> that although the full extent of the damage was as yet unknown, two of its refineries were damaged and releasing pollutants.</p><!-- Freestar Ad Placement --><!-- Tag ID: Futurism_970x250_970x90_728x90_300x250_320x50_320x100_inlist_2 --><div align="center" id="Futurism_970x250_970x90_728x90_300x250_320x50_320x100_inlist_2" style="margin-bottom: 3rem; max-width: 100%; clear: both;"><script data-cfasync="false" type="text/javascript">freestar.queue.push(function () { googletag.display('Futurism_970x250_970x90_728x90_300x250_320x50_320x100_inlist_2'); })</script></div><!-- /Freestar Ad Placement -->
<figure style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img class="wp-image-99195 size-large aligncenter" src="https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Port-Arthur-Texas-August-31.jpg" alt="Image Credit: South Carolina National Guard" width="640" height="380" /><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">Image Credit: South Carolina National Guard</figcaption></figure>
<p>Houston is also home to many petrochemical plants and other <a href="https://futurism.com/most-important-chemical-in-the-world-in-short-supply-in-the-wake-of-hurricane-harvey/" target="_blank">chemical manufacturers</a> — another serious public health hazard in the wake of the hurricane. By the end of the week, electrical failures at the Arkema chemical plant led to <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2017/08/harvey-flooding-explosion-petrochemicals/538560/" target="_blank">explosions and black smoke</a>, along with leaking chemicals, and a <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/29/business/energy-environment/harvey-energy-industry-texas.html?mcubz=0&amp;_r=0" target="_blank">lightning strike at a Dow Chemical</a> plant triggered toxic gas releases and other leaks.</p>
<p>Overflowing dams and water reservoirs, breached levees, and failing treatment plants are <a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/flooding-from-hurricane-harvey-causes-a-host-of-public-health-concerns/" target="_blank">all stressing Houston’s drinking water</a> and water distribution systems. This is likely to lead to water shortages. In addition to the hazards discussed above, the dead bodies of animals and people, as well as raw sewage, in the water could spread disease and cause infection in open wounds. Other sources of disease agents and bacteria include septic tanks, landfills, feedlots, medical wastes, portable toilets, and cemeteries, and some of each of these in the region have been flooded by the storm.</p>
<p>Contaminated water can cause burns, infections, and rashes in the short term, and a host of other symptoms in the long term.</p>
<h2>Mosquitoes</h2>
<p>The floods have left extensive reserves of stagnant water behind, which provide breeding grounds for mosquitoes. These tiny insects bring diseases on a huge scale, such as chikungunya, dengue, West Nile virus, and Zika virus. As reported by <em>The Hill, </em>Houston already had a sizable mosquito-borne illness problem to cope with, dubbed “the mosquito capital of the United States” by Baylor University National School of Tropical Medicine dean Dr. Peter Hotez. Houston’s Public Health Authority director, <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/health-risks-in-hurricane-harvey-aftermath/" target="_blank">Dr. David Persse, told CBS</a>, “We&#8217;re gonna have an explosion of mosquitoes because there&#8217;s so much standing water, which is all breeding sites.”</p><!-- Freestar Ad Placement --><!-- Tag ID: Futurism_970x250_970x90_728x90_300x250_320x50_320x100_inlist_3 --><div align="center" id="Futurism_970x250_970x90_728x90_300x250_320x50_320x100_inlist_3" style="margin-bottom: 3rem; max-width: 100%; clear: both;"><script data-cfasync="false" type="text/javascript">freestar.queue.push(function () { googletag.display('Futurism_970x250_970x90_728x90_300x250_320x50_320x100_inlist_3'); })</script></div><!-- /Freestar Ad Placement -->
<img class="wp-image-99196 size-large aligncenter" src="https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/houston-flooding-01.jpg" alt="Image Credit: Jason Kumelski/Facebook" width="820" height="546" />
<p>Image Credit: Jason Kumelski/FacebookHotez explained to <i>The Atlantic</i> that although many mosquitoes will be washed away along with floodwaters, many will stay behind and fuel new breeding patterns. The result will be a boost in disease-spreading breeds. “The impact on mosquito-borne illnesses could be around for another year,” Hotez told CBS, and confirmed to <i>The Atlantic</i> that this year-long spike in cases followed Katrina.</p>
<h2>Physical and Mental Health</h2>
<p>The storm and flood not only caused new health problems and injuries, but also may exacerbate existing health issues. Conditions that were previously under control are now a threat, as treatments are harder or impossible to access and medication is damaged, lost, or unusable. Many people, especially the elderly and mentally ill, don&#8217;t know which medications they need, and records are not immediately accessible.</p>
<p>Medical equipment is also unavailable, as are locations for undergoing treatments, and even medical facilities with power, in some places. Dialysis is a particular problem; DaVita, a top dialysis provider nationwide, normally serves about 6,700 patients in Houston, each of whom require dialysis every two to three days. <a href="http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2017/08/29/547027763/health-issues-stack-up-in-houston-as-harvey-evacuees-seek-shelter" target="_blank">Only around one-third</a> of their approximately 100 centers in the area are open for all dialysis patients — assuming those patients can reach them.</p>
<figure style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img class="wp-image-99197 size-large aligncenter" src="https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Texas-National-Guard-rescue.jpg" alt="Image Credit: Staff Sgt. Tim Pruitt, Texas National Guard/Flickr" width="640" height="380" /><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">Image Credit: Staff Sgt. Tim Pruitt, Texas National Guard/Flickr</figcaption></figure>
<p>National Kidney Foundation senior clinical communications director Gail Torres <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/09/hurricane-harveys-public-health-nightmare/538767/">explained to <i>The Atlantic</i></a> how dangerous it can be to forgo dialysis, for even one day, as she saw after both Katrina and <a href="http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2014/11/13/363606765/hurricane-sandy-stranded-dialysis-patients-lessons-learned">Sandy on the east coast</a>: “Certain toxins can build up, but most importantly, potassium and fluid can affect the heart. If you have a buildup of potassium, depending on what their baseline is, it can send them into cardiac arrest.”</p>
<p>Dr. Hotez also told <i>The Atlantic</i> that, like New Orleans, Houston was likely to experience a surge in a flesh-eating bacteria in the Gulf known as vibrio vulnificus, as well as antibiotic-resistant staph infections, diarrheal disease from norovirus, and other respiratory infections and diseases. “Both New Orleans and Houston are Gulf Coast cities. Both are associated with a lot of flooding. So what we saw with Katrina is likely relevant to what we&#8217;re going to see with Harvey.”</p>
<h2>Mold and Mildew</h2>
<p>Mold and mildew are longer-term public health problems, which can harbor disease agents that harm respiratory systems for years after a flood is over. <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2017/08/29/the-health-consequences-to-expect-from-hurricane-harveys-floods/?utm_term=.a876fb392ffe" target="_blank">According to </a><i><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2017/08/29/the-health-consequences-to-expect-from-hurricane-harveys-floods/?utm_term=.a876fb392ffe" target="_blank">The Washington Post</a></i>, two months after Katrina, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) investigators found mold in the walls of half of 112 water-damaged homes. Mold can trigger asthma attacks and allergic reactions, and in some cases, mold exposure can be fatal.</p>
<figure style="width: 820px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img class="wp-image-99198 size-large aligncenter" src="https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Houston-flooding-02.jpg" alt="Image Credit: Jason Kumelski/Facebook" width="820" height="500" /><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">Image Credit: Jason Kumelski/Facebook</figcaption></figure>
<p>Unfortunately, according to Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine department chair Maureen Lichtveld, mold will be a fact of life for many in Houston: “The amount of water they have had, you can’t avoid the mold. It will happen in homes that will be underwater for a longer period of time,” Lichtveld told <i>The Hill</i>. Residents who can afford to do so may rebuild their homes rather than take the risk, but many won&#8217;t be able to do that.</p>
<h2>Longer-term Consequences</h2>
<p>Finally, over time, failing structures such as culverts and bridges will reveal the full extent of flood damage, and possibly cause injuries. Civil engineer Neil S. Grigg <a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/flooding-from-hurricane-harvey-causes-a-host-of-public-health-concerns/">recounts in <em>Scientific American</em></a><i> </i>the deaths of 10 people caused by undetectable flood damage and erosion, something that may be repeated in Houston.</p>
<p>Grigg argues that improved damage mitigation strategies will require more comprehensive epidemiological studies of flood impacts, taking into account the health-related costs of flooding as well as the effects of <a href="https://futurism.com/hurricane-harvey-could-be-another-devastating-consequence-of-climate-change/" target="_blank">climate change</a> and land-use change. Grigg also cites a combined set of tools as an approach to alleviating future suffering from major flood and storm events. The efforts should include flood science, adequate infrastructure, smarter zoning, pollution control programs, and flood warning and insurance. Grigg points out that none of these will succeed without proper governance and the rule of law.</p>

				
			</div>

		</div>

		<div class="clearfix"></div>

		<div class="pagination">
					</div>

		<div class="clearfix"></div>

		<div class="container">

			<div class="meta">
								<div class="row">
					<div class="col-sm-6">
						<p class="link-source">
							References:
							<a  target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/flooding-from-hurricane-harvey-causes-a-host-of-public-health-concerns/">Scientific American</a>, <a  target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/09/hurricane-harveys-public-health-nightmare/538767/">The Atlantic</a>, <a  target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2017/08/29/547027763/health-issues-stack-up-in-houston-as-harvey-evacuees-seek-shelter">NPR</a>, <a  target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow" href="http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/348620-five-public-health-crises-facing-houston-after-harvey">The Hill</a>						</p>
					</div>
					<div class="col-sm-6 hidden-xs">
						<p class="shortlink">
							<i class="icon icon-link"></i>
							<input onClick="this.select();" type="text" value="https://futurism.com/?p=99199&post_type=post"/>
						</p>
					</div>
				</div>
			
			
					<div class="big-share-buttons module">
				<div class="row-tight">
					<div class="col-xs-4">
						<a class="btn btn-lg facebook" data-service="facebook" data-url="https://futurism.com/hurricane-harvey-is-over-but-the-public-health-impact-is-just-beginning/" data-desc="Although+immediate+concerns+arising+from+Hurricane+Harvey+center+upon+rescuing+residents+from+the+water+and+treating+injuries%2C+experts+point+out+that+the+public+health+crisis+in+the+Houston+area+is+just+starting+to+unfold.">
							<i class="icon icon-facebook"></i> <span>Share This</span>
						</a>
					</div>
					<div class="col-xs-4">
						<a class="btn btn-lg twitter" data-service="twitter" title="Tweet this" href="https://twitter.com/share?text=Hurricane+Harvey+Is+Over%2C+But+the+Public+Health+Impact+is+Just+Beginning&url=https://futurism.com/hurricane-harvey-is-over-but-the-public-health-impact-is-just-beginning/&via=Futurism" target="_blank">
							<i class="icon icon-twitter"></i> <span>Tweet This</span>
						</a>
					</div>
									<div class="col-xs-4">
					<a class="btn btn-lg email" data-service="email" title="Email this link" href="mailto:?subject=Check out this article&body=https://futurism.com/hurricane-harvey-is-over-but-the-public-health-impact-is-just-beginning/">
						<i class="icon icon-email"></i> <span>Email This</span>
					</a>
				</div>
			</div>
		</div>
	
  
			<div class="center subscribe-form">
	<form method="POST" id="email-subscribe" class="form-inline">
		<h4>Get futuristic videos and news delivered straight to your inbox</h4>
		<input class="form-control input-lg required email" type="text" name="email" placeholder="Your email address"/>
		<div class="select-lg Futurism">
			<select name="frequency" style="width: 110px;" class="select-lg chosen" id="frequency">
				<option value="Daily">Daily</option>
				<option value="Weekly">Weekly</option>
			</select>
		</div>
		<button class="btn btn-primary btn-lg">Subscribe</button>
		<div class="subscribe_success_msg alert alert-success" role="alert">
			<i class="icon icon-check"></i>Subscribed Successfully
		</div>
	</form>	
</div>


<script type="text/javascript">
	var $form = $('#email-subscribe');

	var validator = $form.validate({
		errorPlacement: function(error, element) {
			null;
		},
		submitHandler: function(form) {
			var formData = $('#email-subscribe').serialize();
			console.log(formData);
			var url2 = '//futurism.com/wp-content/themes/futurism/php/mailchimpSubscribe.php';
			$.ajax({
				url: '//futurism.com/wp-content/themes/futurism/php/mailchimpSubscribe.php',
				type: 'POST',
				data: formData,
				success: function(data){
					if(data.id || data.euid){
						jQuery(".subscribe_success_msg").slideDown(500).delay(7000).slideUp(500);
						$form.parent().append('<h4 class="center no-margin no-padding" style="line-height: 35px; display: block !important;">Subscribed successfully!</h4>');
						$form.remove();
						createCookie('emailSubscribed', 1, null);
						createCookie('emailSubscribed7Days', 1, 7);
						setTimeout(function(){$('.subscribe-form, #subscribe-footer').fadeOut();}, 2000);
						var device = ($(window).width() > 768) ? 'Desktop' : 'Mobile';
						amplitude.logEvent("Email Subscribed", {'Location': 'Archive', 'Device' : device});
					}else{
						alert('Error, please refresh the page and try again!');
					}
				},
				 error : function(request,error)
			    {
			       alert('Error, please refresh the page and try again!');
			    }
			});
		}
	});
</script>
			<!-- TrendMD div + script-->
<div id="trendmd-suggestions"></div>
<script defer src='//js.trendmd.com/trendmd.min.js' data-trendmdconfig='{"journal_id":"61055","element":"#trendmd-suggestions"}'></script>


	<div class="related cf">
		<p class="h5 visible-xs center">Related Articles</p>
		<div class="row">
			
<div class="col-sm-4">
	<div class="related-post ">
		<a class="cover-bg " style="background-image: url(https://wp-assets.futurism.com/2018/02/Unknown_fruit_mold_with_spores_methylene_blue_x2000-675x600.jpg);" href="https://futurism.com/researchers-dye-treating-malaria/" title="Researchers Discover Dye That’s Safe and Effective for Treating Malaria" data-wpex-post-id="121524">
			<h3>
				Researchers Discover Dye That’s Safe and Effective for Treating Malaria			</h3>
		</a>
	</div>
</div>
<div class="col-sm-4">
	<div class="related-post ">
		<a class="cover-bg " style="background-image: url(https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/coca-cola-2304958_1920-675x600.jpg);" href="https://futurism.com/soda-soon-taxed-same-way-cigarettes/" title="Soda May Soon Be Taxed the Same Way as Cigarettes" data-wpex-post-id="118286">
			<h3>
				Soda May Soon Be Taxed the Same Way as Cigarettes			</h3>
		</a>
	</div>
</div>
<div class="col-sm-4">
	<div class="related-post ">
		<a class="cover-bg " style="background-image: url(https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/lonely-boy-2531764_1920-675x600.jpg);" href="https://futurism.com/climate-change-cause-todays-children-earn-less-adults/" title="Climate Change Places a Major Economic Burden on Future Generations" data-wpex-post-id="114639">
			<h3>
				Climate Change Places a Major Economic Burden on Future Generations			</h3>
		</a>
	</div>
</div>					</div>
	</div>


			<!-- Freestar Ads -->
			
				
					<!-- Freestar Related Ad Placement -->
					<!-- Tag ID: Futurism_970x250_970x90_728x90_300x250_320x50_320x100_inlist_1 -->
					<div align="center" id="Futurism_970x250_970x90_728x90_300x250_320x50_320x100_inlist_1" style="margin-top: 4rem;">
					<script data-cfasync="false" type="text/javascript">
							freestar.queue.push(function () { googletag.display('Futurism_970x250_970x90_728x90_300x250_320x50_320x100_inlist_1'); });
					</script>
					</div>
					<!-- /Freestar Related Ad Placement -->
				
						<!-- /Freestar Ads -->

		</div>

	</div>

	<div class="next-post">
		<a href="https://futurism.com/new-low-cost-cancer-treatment-could-kill-tumors-with-ethanol/" data-id="99194" data-story=""></a>	</div>

</section>

</div>

<script>

	window.originalPath = location.pathname;

	function loadNextPost(){
		if (0 == $('.next-post a').length) return;
		url = $('.next-post a').attr('href');
		var nextPostId = $('.next-post a').data('id');
		var isStory = $('.next-post a').data('story');

		$('.next-post').remove();
		$.get(url + '?ajax=true', function(result){
			$result = $($.parseHTML(result));
			$result.find('script.ajax-script').each(function(i) {
				eval($(this).text());
			});
			$result.find('.post-header section').css('paddingTop', 0);
			var html = $result.find('.ajax-post');
			$('.post-container').append(html);
			elements = $('h1');
			recordCurrentListing();
			if(window.originalPath != location.pathname){
				ga('set', 'dimension1', 'Infinite Scroll');
				ga('send', 'pageview', location.pathname);
				amplitude.logEvent("Infinite Scroll Pageview", {'Post Type': 'Post/Link'});
			}
			nextOffset = $('.next-post').offset().top;
			$(".post-content").fitVids({ customSelector: "iframe[src^='https://www.facebook.com']"});
			loadAdsOnInfiniteScroll(nextPostId, isStory);
			loading = false;
			retrieve_post_experiment_image();
		});
	}

	var nextSlotId = 1;
	function generateNextSlotName() {
		var id = nextSlotId++;
		console.log(nextSlotId);
		return 'adslot' + id;
	}

	// Freestar register new slots
	freestar.initCallback = function (adSlots) {
		freestar.newAdSlots(adSlots);
	}

	// Load ads inside articles on infinite scroll
	// checks if article is a story and renders ad size accordingly
	// for div positioning refer to insert_post_ads function (functions.php)
	function loadAdsOnInfiniteScroll(nextPostId, isStory) {

		const adSlots = [],
		// freestarInArticleUnits should match insert_post_ads function $freestar_in_article_units variable (functions.php)
		freestarInArticleUnits = [
			{
				widePlacementName: 'Futurism_970x250_970x90_728x90_300x250_320x50_320x100_inlist_2',
				narrowPlacementName: 'Futurism_468x60_300x250_320x100_320x50_inarticle_1'
			},
			{
				widePlacementName: 'Futurism_970x250_970x90_728x90_300x250_320x50_320x100_inlist_3',
				narrowPlacementName: 'Futurism_468x60_300x250_320x100_320x50_inarticle_5'
			}
		],
		// for className definition see freestar_ad_html_string function (functions.php)
		infiniteScrollFreestarClassName = 'infinite-scroll-freestar';

		// In-article ads
		freestarInArticleUnits.map((unit, index) => {
			let slot = {};
			slot.placementName = isStory ? unit.widePlacementName : unit.narrowPlacementName;
			slot.slotId = `${nextPostId}-${index + 1}`;

			let slotClassName = `${infiniteScrollFreestarClassName}-${index + 1}`;
			$(`.${slotClassName}`).removeClass(slotClassName).attr('id', slot.slotId);

			adSlots.push(slot);
		})

		// Sidebar ad
		const sidebarSlotId = `sidebar-${nextPostId}`;
		const sidebarSlot = { placementName: 'Futurism_300x600_300x250_right', slotId: sidebarSlotId };
		$(`.${infiniteScrollFreestarClassName}-sidebar`).removeClass(`${infiniteScrollFreestarClassName}-sidebar`).attr('id', sidebarSlotId);
		adSlots.push(sidebarSlot);

		// Related Section ad
		const relatedSlotId = `related-${nextPostId}`;
		const relatedSlot = { placementName: 'Futurism_970x250_970x90_728x90_300x250_320x50_320x100_inlist_1', slotId: relatedSlotId };
		$(`.${infiniteScrollFreestarClassName}-related`).removeClass(`${infiniteScrollFreestarClassName}-related`).attr('id', relatedSlotId);
		adSlots.push(relatedSlot);
		
		// Insert ad slots
		freestar.initCallback(adSlots);
	}

	function recordCurrentListing(){
		new Waypoint({
			element: $('h1').last(),
			continuous: false,
			offset: 'bottom-in-view',
			handler: function(direction) {
				el = (direction == 'down') ? this.element : this.previous().element;
				url = $(el).data('url');
				window.history.replaceState(null, null, url);
			}
		});
	}

	function retrieve_post_experiment_image(first) {
		if (typeof window.titleex_run_experiment == 'function') {

			/*if (!first) {
				window.titleex_run_experiment();
			}*/
			try {
				var fetch = {};
	            var find = 0;
				var newimage=1;


				if("titlexproShouldRunExp" in window) {
                if(!window.titlexproShouldRunExp()) {
					jQuery("img.wpexpro-image").removeClass("wpexpro-image");
					wpex_show_body();
					var matches = jQuery("body").attr("class").match(/\bpostid-(\d+)\b/);
					if (matches) {
						var id = matches[1];
						var $spans = jQuery("[data-wpex-title-id='"+id+"']");
						if ($spans.length) {
							titleex_update_title(Base64.decode($spans.data("original")));
						}
					}
                    return;
				}
            }


				var $titles = jQuery("[data-wpex-title-id]");
		        for(var i = $titles.length -1; i>=0; i--) {
		            var $title = jQuery($titles[i]);
		            var id = $title.data("wpex-title-id");
		            fetch[id] = 1;
		            find = 1;
		        }

		        if (find) {
					new_image=1;
		        	var id_class = document.body.className.match(/\bpostid-(\d+)\b/);
					if(id_class) {
						cur_id = id_class[1];
					} else {
						cur_id = -1;
					}

			        jQuery.post(wpex.ajaxurl, {
						action: 'wpex_titles',
						id: Object.keys(fetch),
						cur_id:cur_id,
					}, function(res) {

						for(var id in res.titles) {
						var $elm = jQuery("[data-wpex-title-id="+id+"]");
						var new_title = '';
						if(!res.titles[id] && $elm.data("original")) {
                            new_title = Base64.decode($elm.data("original"));
						} else {
							new_title = res.titles[id];
						}
						$elm.html(new_title);

						// Is this the post page for this
						if (jQuery("body.postid-"+id).length > 0) {
							titleex_update_title(new_title);
						}
					}
						for(var id in res.images) {
							if(res.images[id].old) {
								var $elm = jQuery("[data-wpex-post-id='" + res.images[id].old + "']");
								$elm.css('background-image', 'url("'+res.images[id].new+'")');
							}
						}
						$('.post-header-full, .cover-bg').removeClass('post-img-hide');
					}, 'json');

				}
				else{new_image=0;}

				if(new_image==0){
				$('.post-header-full, .cover-bg').removeClass('post-img-hide');}
	        } catch(err) {}
	    }
	}

	$(function(){

		recordCurrentListing();

		$('.m-footer').hide();

		loading = false;

		nextOffset = $('.next-post').offset().top;

		$(document).on('scroll', function(){
			scrollPos = $(document).scrollTop();
			if(!loading && scrollPos >= (nextOffset - 1500)){
				loading = true;
				loadNextPost();
			}
		});

		$(window).scroll();
		retrieve_post_experiment_image(true);
	});

</script>


		</div>

			</div>

	<script>


			
				// show subscribe after 30secs
				var delay = 30000;
				if (areCookiesEnabled() && null == getCookie("emailSubscribed") && null == getCookie("wordpress_test_cookie")) {

					// if Desktop
					if(!(/Android|webOS|iPhone|iPod|iPad|BlackBerry/i.test(navigator.userAgent))){

													document.write('<script src="\/\/load.sumome.com\/" data-sumo-site-id="49541597fc9e3e72cc78ad0ab9287c531131b3c19bc0d87f39c9217d88358665" async="async"><\/script>');
						
					}else{

						if(Math.random() < 0.5){
							setTimeout(function() {
								$('#subscribe-modal').modal();
								amplitude.logEvent("Subscribe Popup Shown", {'Device' : 'Mobile', 'Location' : 'Pop-up'});
							}, delay);
						}else{
							setTimeout(function() {
								$('#mobile-subscribe').addClass('visible');
								amplitude.logEvent("Subscribe Popup Shown", {'Device' : 'Mobile', 'Location' : 'Mobile Footer'});
							}, delay);
						}

					}

				}else if (areCookiesEnabled() && null == getCookie("emailSubscribed7Days") && null == getCookie("facebookLiked")) {
					setTimeout(function() {
						$('#facebook-modal').modal();
						$('#mobile-facebook').addClass('visible');
					}, delay);
				}

			
	</script>

	
<div class="clearfix"></div>

<div id="subscribe-footer" class="cover-bg">
	<div class="container">
					<p>Over 350,000 people subscribe to our newsletter.</p>
			<small>See stories of the future in your inbox each morning.</small>
				<div class="center subscribe-form">
	<form method="POST" id="email-subscribe-footer" class="form-inline">
		<h4>Get futuristic videos and news delivered straight to your inbox</h4>
		<input class="form-control input-lg required email" type="text" name="email" placeholder="Your email address"/>
		<div class="select-lg Futurism">
			<select name="frequency" style="width: 110px;" class="select-lg chosen" id="frequency">
				<option value="Daily">Daily</option>
				<option value="Weekly">Weekly</option>
			</select>
		</div>
		<button class="btn btn-primary btn-lg">Subscribe</button>
		<div class="subscribe_success_msg alert alert-success" role="alert">
			<i class="icon icon-check"></i>Subscribed Successfully
		</div>
	</form>	
</div>


<script type="text/javascript">
	var $form = $('#email-subscribe-footer');

	var validator = $form.validate({
		errorPlacement: function(error, element) {
			null;
		},
		submitHandler: function(form) {
			var formData = $('#email-subscribe-footer').serialize();
			console.log(formData);
			var url2 = '//futurism.com/wp-content/themes/futurism/php/mailchimpSubscribe.php';
			$.ajax({
				url: '//futurism.com/wp-content/themes/futurism/php/mailchimpSubscribe.php',
				type: 'POST',
				data: formData,
				success: function(data){
					if(data.id || data.euid){
						jQuery(".subscribe_success_msg").slideDown(500).delay(7000).slideUp(500);
						$form.parent().append('<h4 class="center no-margin no-padding" style="line-height: 35px; display: block !important;">Subscribed successfully!</h4>');
						$form.remove();
						createCookie('emailSubscribed', 1, null);
						createCookie('emailSubscribed7Days', 1, 7);
						setTimeout(function(){$('.subscribe-form, #subscribe-footer').fadeOut();}, 2000);
						var device = ($(window).width() > 768) ? 'Desktop' : 'Mobile';
						amplitude.logEvent("Email Subscribed", {'Location': 'Footer', 'Device' : device});
					}else{
						alert('Error, please refresh the page and try again!');
					}
				},
				 error : function(request,error)
			    {
			       alert('Error, please refresh the page and try again!');
			    }
			});
		}
	});
</script>	</div>
</div>

<footer id="footer">
	<div class="container">

					<p class="mission">
				<a href="/about">Our mission is to empower our readers and drive the development of transformative technologies towards maximizing human potential <i class="icon icon-arrow-right-c"></i></a>
			</p>
		
		<div class="row">
			<div class="col-sm-4 links">

				<div class="moduleTight">
										<a href="/about">About</a>
					<a href="//jobs.futurism.com" target="_blank">Careers</a>
					
					
					<a href="/faq/">FAQ</a>

					<a href="/dmca-policy/">DMCA Policy</a>

					<a href="/privacy/">Privacy Policy</a>

					      			<a href="/themes">Themes</a>
      		
      		
				</div>


				<div class="share">

										<a href="https://facebook.com/futurism" target="_blank">
						<i class="icon icon-facebook"></i>
					</a>
					
										<a href="https://twitter.com/Futurism" target="_blank">
						<i class="icon icon-twitter"></i>
					</a>
					
										<a href="https://www.reddit.com/domain/futurism.com/" target="_blank">
						<i class="icon icon-reddit"></i>
					</a>
					
										<a href="https://youtube.com/futurism" target="_blank">
						<i class="icon icon-youtube"></i>
					</a>
					
										<a href="https://instagram.com/Futurism" target="_blank">
						<i class="icon icon-instagram"></i>
					</a>
					
					<a href="/feed" target="_blank">
						<i class="icon icon-rss"></i>
					</a>
				</div>
			</div>

			<div class="col-sm-4 logo is-align-center">
								<img src="//futurism.com/wp-content/themes/futurism/images/futurismlogotaglinefooter.png" alt="Futurism" class="footer-logo">
				

				<small>
																Copyright &copy; 2018, Futurism, LLC						<br class="visible-sm visible-xs"/> All Rights Reserved.									</small>
				<a rel="license" href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/">
					<img class="cc" alt="Creative Commons License" style="border-width:0" src="//futurism.com/wp-content/themes/futurism/images/cc.svg" />
				</a>
			</div>

			<div class="col-sm-4 contact is-align-right">
				<a class="btn btn-primary module-xs" href="/contact">Contact Us</a>
								<div></div>
				<a class="btn btn-primary" href="/contribute">Contribute</a>
							</div>

		</div>
	</div>
</footer>



	<div class="modal" id="auth-modal">
		<div class="modal-dialog">
			<div class="modal-content">
				<button class="close-button">&times;</button>
				<div class="header">
					<div>
												<img src="//futurism.com/wp-content/themes/futurism/images/logo@2x.png?v=7" alt="" />
					</div>
				</div>
				<p class="caption">Sign in to join the conversation.</p>
				
<div id="aa_social_login">
	<div class="social-networks">
		<a href="https://futurism.com/hurricane-harvey-is-over-but-the-public-health-impact-is-just-beginning/?aa_social_action=FACEBOOK_LOGIN&redirect_to=/hurricane-harvey-is-over-but-the-public-health-impact-is-just-beginning/">
			<div class="aa-facebook">
				<i class="icon icon-facebook"></i>
				<span>Connect with Facebook</span>
			</div>
		</a>
		<a href="https://futurism.com/hurricane-harvey-is-over-but-the-public-health-impact-is-just-beginning/?aa_social_action=TWITTER_LOGIN&redirect_to=/hurricane-harvey-is-over-but-the-public-health-impact-is-just-beginning/">
			<div class="aa-twitter">
				<i class="icon icon-twitter"></i>
				<span>Connect with Twitter</span>
			</div>
		</a>
	</div>
</div>									<div class="footer">
						We only grab your name + photo and will <u>never</u> post as you.
					</div>
							</div>
		</div>
	</div>


<div id="mobile-subscribe" class="mobile-cta subscribe visible-sm visible-xs">

	<a class="close"><i class="icon icon-close"></i></a>

	<div class="teaser">
		<i class="icon icon-email"></i>
		<span>Subscribe</span>
	</div>

	<div class="form">
		<form action="//futurism.com/wp-content/themes/futurism/php/mailchimpSubscribe.php" type="POST">
		<div class="row row-tight">
			<div class="col-xs-9">
				<input class="form-control input-lg" type="email" name="email" required placeholder="Email Address">
			</div>
			<div class="col-xs-3">
				<button class="btn btn-white btn-block btn-lg">
					<i class="icon icon-arrow-right-c"></i>
				</button>
			</div>
		</div>
		</form>
	</div>

</div>

<script>

	$(function(){

		
		if ('ontouchstart' in window) {
			var $mobile = $('body');
			$(document)
			.on('focus', '#mobile-subscribe input', function() {
				$mobile.addClass('fixfixed');
			})
			.on('blur', '#mobile-subscribe input', function() {
				$mobile.removeClass('fixfixed');
			});
		}

		$('#mobile-subscribe .teaser').on('click', function(){
			$(this).parent().addClass('active').find('input').focus();
			amplitude.logEvent("Subscibe Mobile Footer Clicked");
		});

		$('#mobile-subscribe .close').on('click', function(){
			$('#mobile-subscribe').removeClass('visible active');
			createCookie('emailSubscribed', 1, 30);
			createCookie('emailSubscribed7Days', 1, 7);
		});

	});

	var $form = $("#mobile-subscribe form");
	var validator = $form.validate({
		errorPlacement: function(error, element) {
			null;
		},
		submitHandler: function(form) {
			var formData = $form.serialize();
			$.ajax({
				url: $form.attr('action'),
				type: 'POST',
				data: formData,
				beforeSend: function() {
					$form.find('button').prop('disabled', true);
				},
				success: function(data){
					if(data.id || data.euid){

						$('#mobile-subscribe').addClass('success').find('.teaser span').text('Thanks for subscribing!');
						$('#mobile-subscribe').removeClass('active');

						setTimeout(function() {
							$('#mobile-subscribe').removeClass('visible');
						}, 1500);

						createCookie('emailSubscribed', 1, 365*20);
						createCookie('emailSubscribed7Days', 1, 7);

						
						amplitude.logEvent("Email Subscribed", {'Page' : 'Single Post','Location': 'Mobile Footer', 'Device' : 'Mobile'});

					}else{
						alert('Error, please refresh the page and try again!');
					}
				}
			});
		}
	});
</script><div id="mobile-facebook" class="mobile-cta fb visible-sm visible-xs">

	<a class="close"><i class="icon icon-close"></i></a>

	<a target="_blank" class="teaser" href="https://facebook.com/futurism">
		<i class="icon icon-facebook"></i>
		<span>Like us on Facebook</span>
	</a>

</div>

<script>

	$(function(){

		$('#mobile-facebook .close, #mobile-facebook .teaser').on('click', function(){
			$('#mobile-facebook').removeClass('visible');
			createCookie('facebookLiked', 1, 30);
		});

	});
</script>
<div class="modal fade" id="subscribe-modal">
	<button data-dismiss="modal" class="close-button">&times;</button>
	<div class="modal-dialog">
		<div class="modal-content">

			<form action="//futurism.com/wp-content/themes/futurism/php/mailchimpSubscribe.php" type="POST" class="cf">
				<img class="astro" src="//futurism.com/wp-content/themes/futurism/images/subscribe-astro.png" alt="" />
				<div class="cta">
					<div class="cover-bg">
													Get your Daily Dose<br/> of the Future
											</div>
				</div>
				<div class="fill-up-form">
					<h4 class="is-align-center">
													Get mind-blowing news & videos delivered right to your inbox!											</h4>
					<div class="row row-tight">
						<div class="col-sm-9">
							<input class="form-control input-lg" type="email" name="email" required placeholder="Email Address">
						</div>
						<div class="col-sm-3">
							<button class="btn btn-primary btn-lg">
								Subscribe							</button>
						</div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</form>
			<a data-dismiss="modal" class="close-link visible-xs">Close</a>
		</div>
	</div>
</div>

<script>
	$(function() {

		$('#subscribe-modal').on('show.bs.modal', function () {
			/*var variant = (Math.random() < 0.5) ? 'text1' : 'text2';
			if(variant == 'text2') $('#subscribe-modal').addClass('variant').find('h4').html('Humanity is evolving.<br/> Subscribe so you don’t get left behind!');
			amplitude.logEvent("Subscribe Popup Shown", {'Variant': variant});*/
			//amplitude.logEvent("Subscribe Popup Shown");
		});

		var $form = $("#subscribe-modal form");

		var validator = $form.validate({
			errorPlacement: function(error, element) {
				null;
			},
			submitHandler: function(form) {
				var formData = $form.serialize();
				$.ajax({
					url: $form.attr('action'),
					type: 'POST',
					data: formData,
					beforeSend: function() {
						$form.find('button').prop('disabled', true);
					},
					success: function(data){
						if(data.id || data.euid){
							$form.find('.fill-up-form div').html('<h4 class="center alert-success no-padding">Subscribed successfully!</h4>');
							createCookie('emailSubscribed', 1, 365*20);
							createCookie('emailSubscribed7Days', 1, 7);

							setTimeout(function() {
								$('#subscribe-modal').modal('hide');
							}, 2000);

							var device = !(/Android|webOS|iPhone|iPod|iPad|BlackBerry/i.test(navigator.userAgent)) ? 'Desktop' : 'Mobile';
							var iframe = inIframe() ? 'Yes' : 'No';

							
							//var variant = ($('#subscribe-modal').hasClass('variant')) ? 'text2' : 'text1';

							amplitude.logEvent("Email Subscribed", {'Page' : 'Single Post','Location': 'Pop-up', 'Device' : device});

						}else{
							alert('Error, please refresh the page and try again!');
						}

						$form.find('input[name=email]').val('');
						$form.find('button').prop('disabled', false);
					}
				});
			}
		});

		$('#subscribe-modal').on('hide.bs.modal', function() {
			createCookie('emailSubscribed', 1, 30);
			createCookie('emailSubscribed7Days', 1, 7);
		});

		if(getUrlVar('subscribe')){

			$('#subscribe-modal').modal();

			$('#subscribe-modal img').on('click', function() {
				$('#subscribe-modal').modal('hide');
			});

			amplitude.logEvent("Subscribe Page Visited");

		}

	});
</script>
<!-- check nav if included -->

<script type='text/javascript'>
var colomatduration = 'fast';
var colomatslideEffect = 'slideFade';
</script>
<style>
.heading {
color: #3d9bd3;
}
</style>
<script type='text/javascript' src='https://futurism.com/wp-includes/js/comment-reply.min.js?ver=4.8.2'></script>
<script type='text/javascript'>
/* <![CDATA[ */
var viewsCacheL10n = {"admin_ajax_url":"https:\/\/futurism.com\/wp-admin\/admin-ajax.php","post_id":"99199"};
/* ]]> */
</script>
<script type='text/javascript' src='https://futurism.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-postviews/postviews-cache.js?ver=1.68'></script>
<script type='text/javascript' src='https://futurism.com/wp-includes/js/wp-embed.min.js?ver=4.8.2'></script>

</body>
</html>
