Experts from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are already warning residents of Moore, Oklahoma that the debris left behind after this week’s killer tornado could be hazardous to their health.

EPA spokesman Chris Whitley told the media that the scene in Moore is eerily similar to what he experienced last year in Joplin, Missouri, a scene he described as “unlike anything I’d ever seen.” Now, his job and the job of other EPA experts is to warn locals of the danger of sifting through the rubble that was once their house or business.

Besides the obvious hazards, which include things like nails, shattered glass, and loose wires, the people of Moore, Oklahoma need to be on the lookout for less obvious dangers, such as exposure to asbestos materials that were damaged and tossed about by the high winds brought on by the tornado. It’s something most people don’t consider during search-and-rescue or simply while sifting through the rubble for their belongings

“As they search for their loved ones, the threat of asbestos is far from people’s minds,” said Linda Reinstein, president of the nonprofit Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization. “We’ve seen this in Joplin, and after Hurricane Sandy. We know that residential areas were constructed with asbestos-contaminated products. After natural disasters, asbestos is a prevalent toxin.”

“But we can’t see it, taste it, smell it or touch it,” added Reinstein, noting that anyone who “suspects or expects asbestos in materials” to leave it alone so that it can be removed by someone licensed and trained in asbestos abatement.

Asbestos is of special concern, notes an article in the Huffington Post, because the area of Moore hit by the tornado contained many homes built in the 1960s and 1970s, an era when asbestos use was still commonplace. These homes may have contained asbestos insulation, roofing materials, siding, or other building products.

“If there is a dust hazard, whether there’s asbestos or not, you should be taking precautions,” said Dr. Mark Keim, environmental health specialist for the Centers for Disease Control. “During cleanups, take frequent breaks, and wash your hands before eating or touching your mouth.” He also recommended the use of respirators and rubber gloves.

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