Mold Testing Laboratory

St. Louis, MO,  June 12^th , 2019

Since mid-March of this year, large areas of the Midwestern United States have experienced flooding along swollen rivers and tributaries. The Platte, Missouri and Mississippi are a few of the major rivers that have overflowed their banks in areas leaving behind costly damage to people’s homes, schools and businesses.

Some regions experienced record flood levels and cost estimates have been in the billions of dollars for lost crops and property damage. As business owners, homeowners and tenants begin the long process of cleaning up their properties and filing insurance claims, they need to be aware of the potential presence of microbial and chemical contaminants that may now be present indoors. This is due to the fact that floodwaters can introduce sewage and chemical pollutants, and wet properties can quickly turn into a breeding ground for mold and bacteria.

Mold growing almost anywhere in a building can cause indoor air quality (IAQ) problems and health concerns for building occupants, especially those with existing respiratory conditions. When inhaled, some types of mold can cause disease in people with a weakened or suppressed immune system, trigger asthma in others, cause allergic reactions or act as a respiratory irritant for many people.

“Sewage and chemical contaminants are also a real possibility in flooded homes and buildings,” said Jason Dobranic, Ph.D., Vice President of Microbiology and Life Sciences at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Even the cleanup and repair process could put people at risk of exposure to lead-based paints and asbestos-containing materials. These materials are still found in countless older properties that are widespread in the region.”

For those who have encountered flood damage, the indoor environmental quality (IEQ) professionals at EMSL Analytical, Inc. offer laboratory testing services, sampling supplies, test kits and inspection tools to identify mold, bacteria, lead, asbestos, sewage, chemicals and many other potential hazards. EMSL has even sponsored an educational video about flood risks, property damage and IEQ concerns that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/uEomZzY07Kw.

To learn more about this or other property damage, indoor air quality, environmental, occupational, health and safety testing services or for access to building inspection tools, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800)220-3675 or email info@EMSL.com. For 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.