Cinnaminson, New Jersey, March 3
rd, 2022
A recent high-pressure steam line failure at a chemical plant in Tennessee caused minor injuries to several workers and damage to the facility according to local media outlets. For people living near the plant, the incident also resulted in debris from the plant falling on their yards, homes, and vehicles.
In a statement from chemical plant officials, initial testing of debris on the plant grounds found that at least some the material contains asbestos. The company is asking people living nearby that experienced any debris on their properties to not disturb it and to call a special phone line to report it.
Asbestos is described by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) as a commercial and legal term referring to a class of minerals that naturally form long, thin, very strong fibers. Asbestos has been mined and used in many products worldwide, mostly during the 20th century. ATSDR goes on to state that disturbing asbestos minerals or other asbestos-containing materials can release tiny asbestos fibers, too small to see, into the air. Workers and others who breathed asbestos fibers over many years have developed asbestos-related diseases, including asbestosis, pleural disease, lung cancer, and mesothelioma.
“Hearing that asbestos-containing materials may have landed on your home or property is not something anyone wants to experience,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Fortunately, there is an easy way to test suspect materials for asbestos using a special collection test kit to find out if it is present so these materials can then be handled properly by qualified professionals. EMSL Analytical is pleased to offer two of these test kits, one is an asbestos test kit for suspect materials and the other for collecting dust samples.”
To learn more or to order an asbestos test kit, please 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.