Press Releases at EMSL

Cockroaches are one of society’s most commonly found pests.  Worldwide, there are thousands of species and several dozen are associated with human habitats.  Of these, just a handful of the species make up the vast majority of the pests found in people’s homes and buildings.

The presence of cockroaches can not only make people squirm, but can also lead to health concerns for building occupants.  Not only can cockroaches spread pathogens, but they are also a frequent cause of allergic reactions in people and are a known asthma trigger.  Some health experts believe exposure to cockroach allergens may lead to the development of asthma in young children.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “Droppings or body parts of cockroaches and other pests can trigger asthma. Certain proteins are found in cockroach feces and saliva and can cause allergic reactions or trigger asthma symptoms in some individuals.  Cockroaches are commonly found in crowded cities and the southern regions of the United States. Cockroach allergens likely play a significant role in asthma in many urban areas.”

“For the millions of people who have allergies or asthma, it’s important to understand what they are allergic to or what asthma triggers can cause an attack,” said Jason Dobranic, Ph.D., Vice President of Microbiology and Life Sciences at EMSL Analytical, Inc.  “These can vary widely from person to person, but reactions to the presence of cockroaches are common.  Environmental tests and easy-to-use test kits are available to help determine if cockroach allergens are present in a home, school or place of business.  Knowing what is present is the first step in managing allergies or asthma.”

EMSL offers cockroach allergen testing services and an Allergen Test Kit that can be obtained at: www.EMSLTestKits.com. EMSL also recently sponsored an educational video with information about cockroaches in indoor environments that can be seen at: http://youtu.be/yGf6970AlyY.

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

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.

EMSL Analytical is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of environmental, indoor air quality, consumer product and materials testing services and products for professionals and the general public.  The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.