Indoor Environmental Quality Testing Laboratory

Cinnaminson, NJ,  October 2^nd , 2018

Last month, The Lancaster News published an article about a lightning strike at a church in South Carolina. The lightning reportedly struck the church steeple resulting in a fire and while firefighters were able to extinguish the fire within 45 minutes, the building was left with fire, smoke and water damage.

Property damage due to lightning strikes during the summer is an all too common occurrence. In fact, the summer season is the most dangerous time for lightning strikes in North America. The Insurance Information Institute reports that as recently as 2014 there were almost 100,000 paid homeowners’ insurance claims for insured losses in the United States alone.

“A great deal of the property damage from lightning strikes is associated with fires,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President, Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Damage due to flames is usually obvious, but even a small fire can also cause extensive smoke damage. Smoke residues can leave behind odors and their corrosive effect can begin to cause extensive etching and discoloration on indoor surfaces as time passes. Smoke residues can also harm or destroy sensitive electronics. Water damage is another common problem that can easily lead to mold issues if materials remain wet or damp for even just a few days. Once repairs start, in many properties there are still lead-based paints and asbestos-containing materials that have to be handled properly or they could jeopardize the health of workers and any building occupants.”

Helping property owners, tenants and property managers identify these and other indoor environmental quality (IEQ) issues are the experts from EMSL Analytical, Inc. They offer testing services, sampling supplies, easy-to-use test kits and building inspection tools to identify smoke residues, odors, water damage, mold, lead and asbestos. EMSL has even sponsored an educational video about property damage and IEQ issues following a lightning strike that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/nczGPb5rReU.

To learn more about indoor environmental quality testing services, please visit www.EMSL.com, email info@EMSL.com or call (800) 220-3675. To access IEQ test kits, visit www.EMSLTestKits.com.  

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories with over 45 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.