Environmental Testing Services

Baton Rouge, LA, May 24^th, 2021

Last week, heavy rains battered much of Louisiana, especially in the Baton Rouge and Lake Charles areas. Tragically, several people lost their lives, and it was reported that hundreds of homes and businesses suffered varying degrees of flood damage.

Now that the water has receded, families and business owners are faced with cleaning up the mess and filing insurance claims. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), just one inch of water can cause up to $25,000 worth of damage to a home.

Even less water can cause mold and other indoor environmental quality (IEQ) concerns. Standing water, humid conditions, wet building materials, furnishings, and personal belongings can quickly become a breeding ground for mold and bacteria. Floodwaters can even introduce sewage and chemicals into homes and buildings. Some of these properties also likely contain asbestos and lead-based paints. These two hazardous materials can easily become airborne during demolition and repair activities if the proper safety precautions are not in place.

“There is a local resource for residents of Louisiana that were impacted by these heavy rains and floodwaters,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President, Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. "EMSL's Baton Rouge laboratory is helping flood victims with testing services, sampling supplies and test kits for mold, bacteria, sewage contamination, chemicals, lead-based paints, asbestos, and other environmental, health and safety concerns associated with water damage. We also carry building inspection tools, such as moisture detection equipment, along with a full line of personal protective equipment (PPE).”

EMSL has sponsored an educational video about flood cleanup and indoor air quality issues that can be viewed at: https://youtu.be/3Q1tnHFkPF0.

To learn more about this or other property damage, environmental, occupational, health, and safety testing services, or for access to building inspection tools and PPE, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (225) 755-1920, or email info@EMSL.com. To access IEQ test kits, visit www.EMSLTestKits.com.


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