Microbial Risks in Flood-Affected Building Materials: Investigating Contamination, Persistence, and Exposure Pathways

Abstract Flooding events increasingly threaten public health by introducing diverse microbial contaminants into indoor environments, where they can persist long after visible flood damage has been addressed. While epidemiological studies link floods to increased infectious disease risks, major knowledge gaps remain regarding the microbial community diversity introduced by real-world floodwaters and the survival dynamics of these communities on common building materials. This project will apply shotgun metagenomic sequencing and reproducible mesocosm experiments to characterize floodborne microbial risks, focusing on identifying both known and emerging pathogens, antibiotic resistance genes, and virulence factors. Findings will provide critical foundational data to inform infection control strategies, disaster recovery efforts, and public health policies aimed at reducing long-term infectious disease risks following flood events.