Case Studies

Disaster Treatment for the Damages from Torrential Rain

Kumamoto, Japan

Overview

On July 4, 2020, the southern part of Kyushu, Japan, was hit by an enormous rain disaster that it had never experienced before.

In particular, the heavy rain caused the Kuma River in Kumamoto Prefecture to overflow its banks.
More than 8,000 houses in residential areas around the Kuma River were flooded. In some of these areas, the water reached the second floor of the houses.

As a result, soil and sand containing sewage sludge flowed from the river into the surrounding land and buildings, causing sanitary and odor problems. In most residential areas, the first floor of the houses was flooded, but many residents had to continue living on the second floors after the flood.

They were exposed to high health risks due to stench and infection. Therefore, it was necessary to spray EM in these residential areas as soon as possible.

EM Group decided to provide EM･1 and other materials to produce Activated EM・1 (AEM) as well as sprayers. EMRO also sent two technical officers to the affected area to work with volunteers to solve the problems.

EM Application

100 liters of diluted AEM was sprayed per 100㎡ for places like walls, columns and floors, also for mud and soil.
To treat the moldy walls and columns, they washed off the mold and dry them completely.
If it is still wet after spraying EM, it will become moldy again.

AEM dilution ratio: 1:10
Motorized sprayers: Maximum pressure: Closed: 3.8 MPa (38 kgf/sq cm)
　　　　　　　　　　　　 Maximum water capacity: 25 Liters per minute
Sprayer Nozzle : Variable rate agricultural nozzle
Spray Hose : Agricultural spray hose 50m

Effects and Results

A total of 25,000 liters of diluted AEM was sprayed on more than 190 homes over a two-month period. After spraying the diluted AEM, the bad smell was immediately eliminated.

Many residents commented, "The bad smell disappeared immediately. "The air became refreshing." EM can not only eliminate bad smell, but also refresh the air by spraying AEM 10 times diluted.

Green, black and white colors of mold often appeared especially on the walls and columns. Washing with AEM and drying well removed the mold. The process of drying was crucial to prevent the recurrence of mold.