Press Releases at EMSL

Ann Arbor, MI, July 18^th, 2016

In June, residents of Grand Rapids, Michigan learned that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been asked to investigate two vapor intrusion sites in their city. At the first location, the EPA is addressing high levels of tetrachloroethylene (PERC) from the site of a former dry cleaning business. At the other location, trichloroethylene (TCE) contamination from a former industrial facility is the focus.

The TCE investigation is part of an ongoing corrective action cleanup that has been taking place since the facility’s closure in the 1990s. The PERC contamination, caused by the former dry cleaners was known, but was recently found to have spread underground below adjacent buildings.  People from several apartments and two nonprofit agencies have been evacuated from their building and the EPA is reportedly conducting air tests in up to 75 additional properties in the immediate area.

The testing is due to concerns of chemicals migrating into the air inside of overlying homes and buildings in a process known as vapor intrusion. The indoor air quality of structures near either contamination site could be impacted by either TCE or PERC that has migrated from contaminated soil and groundwater to the indoors by infiltrating through cracks in a building’s foundation or from other processes.

“Vapor intrusion testing due to exposure concerns to TCE and PERC are all too common in locations in many states,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “These industrial chemicals were widely used in the past and the improper disposal and storage of these chemicals from activities years ago continue to create exposure risks in residential and industrial areas across the country.”

People concerned about vapor intrusion in their homes, schools and businesses can turn to EMSL for comprehensive testing services and sampling supplies. EMSL identifies a wide range of industrial pollutants associated with vapor intrusion as well as water and soil contamination issues.

To learn more about vapor intrusion testing or other environmental, occupational, indoor air quality, health and safety 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.