Customer Service

 Customer Survey

LABConnect™ - Online Results & More

air testing

Category Press Release
Publish Date 1/11/2017
Author Paul Cochrane
Title Indoor Ice Arenas and What Skaters and Employees Could be Breathing
Introduction EMSL Analytical provides a wide range of indoor air quality testing services and monitoring instruments to identify airborne pollutants.

Cinnaminson, NJ, January 11, 2017  

In the United States and Canada there are approximately 5,000 indoor ice arenas. These facilities provide a year round place for people to enjoy skating and compete in sports. However, as with all buildings, the indoor air quality (IAQ) is important for the health and safety of guests and employees and some facilities could be exposing people to elevated levels of airborne pollutants.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides information about potential IAQ issues at enclosed ice arenas. The agency reports that a primary source of indoor air concerns is the release of combustion pollutants such as carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM) from the exhaust of fuel-fired ice resurfacers. These airborne pollutants are described as follows: 

  • Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless and poisonous gas. Low levels can cause shortness of breath, mild nausea and headaches, and may have longer term effects on health. At moderate levels, people can get severe headaches, become dizzy, mentally confused, nauseated or faint. At high levels, CO can cause unconsciousness or death. 

  • Nitrogen dioxide is a toxic gas. It acts mainly as an irritant affecting the eyes, nose, throat and respiratory tract. It may also cause shortness of breath. Low level exposure may cause increased bronchial reactivity in some asthmatics, decreased lung function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and increased risk of respiratory infections, especially in young children. Continued exposure to high NO2levels can contribute to the development of acute or chronic bronchitis. Extremely high dose exposures can cause pulmonary edema. 

  • Particulate matter is a complex mixture of extremely small particles and liquid droplets. Particle pollution is made up of a number of components, including acids (such as nitrates and sulfates), organic chemicals, metals, and soil or dust particles. The size of the particles is directly linked to their potential for causing health problems.

"Indoor ice arenas can provide unique challenges for facility managers and owners when it comes to controlling potentially harmful airborne pollutants,” said Jody Thomason, Vice President of Products/Corporate Purchasing for EMSL Analytical, Inc. “This can be especially true when older or improperly maintained ice resurfacers are in use. At EMSL, we provide comprehensive air testing services and monitoring equipment to identify particulate matter, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and other areas of concern that could be found in these types of facilities.”

EMSL also recently sponsored an educational video about ice arenas and indoor air quality that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/oz7-WefTIl4.

For more information about air quality testing services and monitoring instruments, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email info@EMSL.com.

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.

EMSL Analytical, Inc. is one of the leading testing laboratories with over 40 locations throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria, Legionella, USP <797>, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOC’s, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA LAP, LLC. (AIHA EMLAP, AIHA IHLAP, AIHA ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations.  In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.

Atlanta, GA (LAB 07) - NVLAP Lab Code 101048-1Baton Rouge, LA (LAB 25) - NVLAP Lab Code 200375-0Beltsville, MD (LAB 19) - NVLAP Lab Code 200293-0Boston, MA (LAB 13) - NVLAP Lab Code 101147-0Buffalo, NY (LAB 14) - NVLAP Lab Code 200056-0Carle Place, NY (LAB 06) - NVLAP Lab Code 101048-10Charlotte, NC (LAB 41) - NVLAP Lab Code 200841-0Chicago, IL (LAB 26) - NVLAP Lab Code 200399-0Cinnaminson, NJ (LAB List in Description) - NVLAP Lab Code 101048-0Dallas, TX (LAB 11) - NVLAP Lab Code 600111-0Denver, CO (LAB 22) - NVLAP Lab Code 200828-0EMSL Canada - Calgary, AB (LAB 65) - NVLAP Lab Code 500100-0EMSL Canada - Edmonton, AB (LAB 50) - NVLAP Lab Code 600321-0EMSL Canada - Markham, ON (LAB 66) - NVLAP Lab Code 600317-0EMSL Canada - Montreal, QC (LAB 68) - NVLAP Lab Code 201052-0EMSL Canada - Ottawa, ON (LAB 67) - NVLAP Lab Code 201040-0EMSL Canada - Toronto, ON (LAB 55) - NVLAP Lab Code 200877-0EMSL Canada - Vancouver, BC (LAB 69) - NVLAP Lab Code 201068-0Fort Lauderdale, FL (LAB 56) - NVLAP Lab Code 500085-0Houston, TX (LAB 15) - NVLAP Lab Code 102106-0Huntington Beach, CA (LAB 33) - NVLAP Lab Code 101384-0Indianapolis, IN (LAB 16) - NVLAP Lab Code 200188-0Kernersville, NC (LAB 02) - NVLAP Lab Code 102104-0Meriden, CT (LAB 24) - NVLAP Lab Code 200700-0Miami, FL (LAB 17) - NVLAP Lab Code 200204-0Minneapolis, MN (LAB 35) - NVLAP Lab Code 200019-0New York City, NY (LAB 03) - NVLAP Lab Code 101048-9Ontario, California (San Bernadino County / Inland Empire) (LAB 71) - NVLAP Lab Code 600239-0Orlando, FL (LAB 34) - NVLAP Lab Code 101151-0Phoenix, AZ (LAB 12) - NVLAP Lab Code 200811-0Piscataway, NJ (LAB 05) - NVLAP Lab Code 101048-2Plymouth Meeting, PA (LAB 18) - NVLAP Lab Code 200699-0Raleigh, NC (LAB 29) - NVLAP Lab Code 200671-0Rochester, NY (LAB 53) - NVLAP Lab Code 600183-0San Diego, CA (LAB 43) - NVLAP Lab Code 200855-0San Leandro, CA (LAB 09) - NVLAP Lab Code 101048-3Santa Clara, CA (LAB 47) - NVLAP Lab Code 600318-0Seattle, WA (LAB 51) - NVLAP Lab Code 200613-0South Pasadena, CA (LAB 32) - NVLAP Lab Code 200232-0South Portland, ME (LAB 62) - NVLAP Lab Code 500094-0St. Louis, MO (LAB 39) - NVLAP Lab Code 200742-0Tampa, FL (LAB 93) - NVLAP Lab Code 600215-0
Sorry, this function is disabled.