Ann Arbor, MI, June 15th, 2020
Last month, the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department (WUPHD) reissued an advisory for people to avoid activity in areas on or near a scrapyard in the state of Michigan. The advisory includes sections of an off-road vehicle (ORV) trail owned by the state. The advisory had been temporarily suspended this past winter while snow covered the trail.
The WUPHD proclaimed:
Sampling and evaluation conducted last summer by various state agencies concluded that many physical and chemical hazards are present in the trail’s waterfront area including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), lead, mercury and asbestos, in addition to other physical and chemical hazards that have the potential to cause trail users illness and injury. Of special concern is the presence of asbestos containing material on or near the ORV trail, as ATVs and other trail users agitate the soil, the asbestos fibers can become airborne in dust and travel beyond the contaminated properties. Use of the trail should be avoided as exposure to asbestos can cause damage to the lungs and increase the risk of developing cancer.
Soil contamination issues like these are all too common in areas that have a long history of industrial use. Contamination can result when hazardous substances are either spilled or buried directly in the soil or migrate to the soil from another area.
“Contamination occurs when a hazardous solid or liquid substance mixes with the naturally occurring soil,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President, Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “In many instances, the contaminants are physically or chemically attached to soil particles, or if they are not attached, are trapped in the small spaces between soil particles. Some soil contaminants can be absorbed through the skin, while others can attach to small surface soil particles that can become airborne as dust and then inhaled.”
With a laboratory in Michigan and dozens more throughout the United States and Canada, EMSL Analytical, Inc. provides soil, air and water testing services. Their laboratories offer a wide range of testing to identify everything from lead and other heavy metals, to asbestos, PCBs, pesticides and industrial chemicals. EMSL has even sponsored an educational video about soil contamination issues that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/iAmHToVhm2A.
To learn more about soil testing or other environmental, 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 one of the leading testing laboratories with 46 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-LAP, LLC EMLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC IHLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC 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.