Press Releases at EMSL

President Barack Obama has signed a statewide emergency declaration for South Carolina as some areas have already received up to two feet of rain in the last several days. The moisture is being pulled into the region from Hurricane Joaquin and a low pressure system over the Southeast.

 

In many areas roads are impassable and with conditions already waterlogged, the rain has nowhere to go. Flash flood warnings were issued over the weekend in many parts of the state. The severe flooding and the heavy deluge of rain have resulted in extensive water damage to countless properties.

 

“As the floodwaters finally recede this week, residents with damaged properties are cautioned to be aware of potential hazards that may now exist in their homes and businesses before they begin making repairs,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Floodwaters often contain animal or human sewage which can cause disease. Wet building materials, furnishing and belongings that are not properly dried within 24 to 48 hours can also begin to support the growth of mold. It may begin to become visible this week, but property owners should also be aware of its potential presence in locations that are out of sight, such as in basements, crawl spaces, wall cavities and attics. Mold can become airborne during cleanup and rebuilding efforts. If inhaled, some types can cause disease in people with a weakened or suppressed immune system, trigger asthma in some people and cause allergic reactions in others.”

 

Some older properties may also have health and safety concerns due to the presence of lead-based paints and asbestos-containing materials. Demolition, repair and rebuilding efforts can aerosolize these materials and be a health concern for workers and anyone in the building or home.

 

To help identify these and other indoor environmental hazards, EMSL Analytical, Inc. has a service center in Charleston and three laboratories in North Carolina to service flood damage victims. Sampling supplies, easy-to-use test kits and a comprehensive array of testing services to identify sewage contamination, mold, bacteria, lead, asbestos and other potential contaminants are available. To learn more about EMSL’s indoor environmental test kits, please visit www.EMSLTestKits.com. EMSL has also sponsored a video about flood cleanup and indoor air quality (IAQ) issues that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/3Q1tnHFkPF0.

 

To learn more about water damage, mold, IAQ or other environmental, health and safety issues, please visit www.EMSL.com or email info@EMSL.com. To contact EMSL’s Charleston Service Center, please call (888) 958-8170.