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River Clean Up Orientation
There are risks in anything, but cleaning up the riverbanks do have some risks you need to be aware of. Some of the entry points into the river banks consist of trails down steep hills. Places like Hewitt's Pits have the added challenge of being a steep hill covered with rusted scrap metal and thousands of shards of glass from decades of illegal dumping. There may also be pollutants in the water. Another man made potential hazard comes from the illegal drug trade, where plastic bottles are being used to "cook" methamphetamines, and are then dumped by the roadside or riverbank. Then there are natural hazards, plants like poison ivy and giant hogweed, as well as mosquitoes, spiders, leaches and wasps.
We recommend:
We recommend:
- You check for ticks after participating in a CUORB event
- You use bug spray
- You wear gloves and protective eye wear if possible
- You have an updated tetanus shot in order to participate in MI CUORB clean ups
- You wear appropriate foot wear
- You beware of anything that looks suspicious
Beware of suspicious-looking plastic bottles without labels and with a white residue or granular material inside, and that have a strong chemical odor, these may contain toxic and explosive chemicals used in creating meth. Because the chemicals and products used to make meth can be dangerous when mixed together, there's a possibility of explosion when opening a bottle. Also, breathing in fumes from those substances can cause internal damage, including severe internal burning which could require medical attention.
Anyone who comes across a 2-liter bottle on the roadside with suspicious contents is warned not to touch it and to please call 911, explain you are from MI CUORB, that you are participating in a clean up, and describe what you have found. Anyone who comes in physical contact with any of the substances should call 911 immediately to be examined by emergency medical responders.
Anyone who comes across a 2-liter bottle on the roadside with suspicious contents is warned not to touch it and to please call 911, explain you are from MI CUORB, that you are participating in a clean up, and describe what you have found. Anyone who comes in physical contact with any of the substances should call 911 immediately to be examined by emergency medical responders.
What does giant hogweed look like?
Giant hogweed, or Heracleum mantegazzianum is considered a noxious weed by the federal government. It's part of the carrot family, but it can grow up to 14 feet tall. For a toxic plant, giant hogweed is surprisingly pretty, with thick leaves stretching five feet wide and large clusters of white flowers gracing the top of the plant in an umbrella pattern. Its stems (pictured at top left) are green with purple blotches and white hairs.
Safety precautions to follow when working around giant hogweed plants:
- Do not touch the plant with bare skin
- Do not touch your bare skin with sap covered gloves
- Prevent UV sunlight from reaching skin by:
- wearing long waterproof gloves, long sleeves, pants, boots, and eye protection; synthetic water-resistant materials are best since cotton and linen fibers can soak up the plant sap and be penetrated by plant hairs
- Apply sun block before beginning to work
- Launder clothes that may have contacted plants
- Wash equipment with water immediately after use
- Limit exposure to sunlight after control OR work around giant hogweed plants after sunset
- DO NOT use a "weed-whacker" or brush cutter - sap may splatter as stems are cut
- Keep water, soap, and eye-wash near work area in case of exposure
What should you do if you are exposed to giant hogweed sap?
- Wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and COLD water as soon as possible
- Keep exposed area away from sunlight for 48 hours
- If a reaction occurs, topical steroids applied early can reduce the severity of the reaction and ease discomfort
- If sap goes in eyes, rinse them with water and wear sunglasses
- If a reaction has occurred, the area of skin may be sensitive to sunlight for a few years and you may want to apply sun block or keep the affected area covered from the sun when possible
- If you experience difficulty breathing due to exposure to giant hogweed, please dial 911 immediately, otherwise see your personal physicial if you have a reaction or any questions
- What are the symptoms of exposure to giant hogweed sap?
- Painful blisters that form within 48 hours and become dark and pigmented
- Scars that last up to six years, though typically only last a few months
- Long-term sensitivity to sunlight is common
- Blindness may occur if the sap gets into the eye
You may encounter poison ivy, poison sumac, poison oak which causes an itching, irritating, and sometimes painful rash, or giant hogweed can burn and blind you
Leaves of three, let it be…
Poison ivy is a plant with clusters of three hairy, lobed leaves that change color with the seasons: reddish in the spring, green in the summer, and reddish-orange in the fall. Young leaves are shiny. poison ivy can exist as a small plant, a bush, or a vine.
The “leaves of three” rule applies to poison oak as well as poison ivy. Poison oak has three glossy green leaves that are lobed and look very similar to the leaves of an oak tree. It thrives in both sunlight and shade. On America’s east coast, poison oak usually grows as a low shrub.
To avoid blisters and the itchy rash that often appears in streaks from contact with poison ivy or poison oak, take preventive measures. Adults and children alike should dress properly before walking in the woods. Be sure to:
•wear closed shoes
•wear long pants and long sleeves
•wear rubber gloves when doing yard work where you suspect poison ivy or oak
It takes direct contact to “catch” poison ivy or poison oak. Contact with any part of the plant—including leaves, stems, or roots—can result in an itchy skin rash.
It’s not the plant itself that causes the rash; it’s the oil within the plant. This oil, called urushiol, is extraordinarily potent and can stay active on any surface.
Leaves of three, let it be…
Poison ivy is a plant with clusters of three hairy, lobed leaves that change color with the seasons: reddish in the spring, green in the summer, and reddish-orange in the fall. Young leaves are shiny. poison ivy can exist as a small plant, a bush, or a vine.
The “leaves of three” rule applies to poison oak as well as poison ivy. Poison oak has three glossy green leaves that are lobed and look very similar to the leaves of an oak tree. It thrives in both sunlight and shade. On America’s east coast, poison oak usually grows as a low shrub.
To avoid blisters and the itchy rash that often appears in streaks from contact with poison ivy or poison oak, take preventive measures. Adults and children alike should dress properly before walking in the woods. Be sure to:
•wear closed shoes
•wear long pants and long sleeves
•wear rubber gloves when doing yard work where you suspect poison ivy or oak
It takes direct contact to “catch” poison ivy or poison oak. Contact with any part of the plant—including leaves, stems, or roots—can result in an itchy skin rash.
It’s not the plant itself that causes the rash; it’s the oil within the plant. This oil, called urushiol, is extraordinarily potent and can stay active on any surface.
On very rare occasions you may encounter Michigan's only venomous snake, the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake, or venomous spiders like the Northern Widow or the Brown Recluse Spider. You may encounter Bees, Hornets, and Wasps which have painful stings, and multiple stings might require urgent medical care. If you are allergic, please carry an epi-pen and notify the crew leader of your allergy so they are aware of the potential for any severe allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock. You may encounter mosquitoes, which could carry West Nile Virus, and leeches, which are rather creepy but for the most part harmless unless they are ingested. Also beware of Ticks as they carry Lyme's Disease. Please check yourself for ticks after participating in any CUORB event.
Click here to print a waiver to participate in MIchigan CUORB's river clean up initiative.