Press Releases at EMSL

Last month, a new study was published in the European Respiratory Journal (ERJ) that examined indoor air pollutants from five categories and how each might impact the lung health of elderly residents of nursing homes.  The study was funded by the EU and analyzed data from 600 residents of 50 nursing homes located in seven European countries.

The categories of indoor pollutants that were examined included PM10, PM0.1, formaldehyde, NO₂ and O₃.  The ERJ article reported that residents exposed to moderate to high levels of PM10 and NO₂ showed symptoms associated with breathlessness and cough. Exposure to PM0.1 was associated with wheezing and formaldehyde was linked with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

“There are many similarities between building techniques, furnishings, housekeeping activities and ventilation methods used in European nursing homes and those used here,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc.  “This important new study is hopefully a reminder for those operating these facilities in North America and for those with loved ones living out their final years in a nursing home that air quality is a critical component to health.”

In the United States alone, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that there are 15,700 nursing homes that have a combined 1.7 million licensed beds.  To help ensure healthy indoor air in nursing homes, EMSL provides air testing services, sampling supplies and field testing equipment to identify particulate matter as well as chemical and biological pollutants.  EMSL even offers a dozen easy to use sampling test kits that provide affordable testing solutions for many common indoor air and surface contaminants.  To view the complete list of test kits, please visit: www.EMSLTestKits.com.

To learn more about indoor air and environmental quality testing services or other health and safety issues, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email info@EMSL.com.

EMSL Analytical is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of environmental, industrial hygiene, food and materials testing services and products to government agencies, industry professionals and the general public.  The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.