Indoor Air Quality Testing

Cinnaminson, New Jersey, February 15, 2023

In the United States, 8 percent of adults and 6.5 percent of children have asthma according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As recently as 2021, the disease resulted in 5.8 million physician office visits and 1.6 million emergency department visits. Tragically, there were also 4,145 deaths due to asthma the year before. 

Asthma triggers are things that can cause asthma symptoms, an episode or attack, or make asthma worse. One of the more common environmental asthma triggers is mold. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) confirms that mold can trigger asthma episodes in sensitive individuals with asthma, and that people with asthma should avoid exposure to it.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) states that inhaling or touching mold or mold spores can cause a person to become allergic to it. The agency also states that mold exposure can trigger asthma symptoms including shortness of breath, wheezing or cough in people with known allergies, and that people who do not have allergies can also become irritated. In addition, NIOSH reports that studies indicate that exposure to mold in the workplace can make pre-existing asthma worse.

“Building occupants can be exposed to mold that is visibly growing indoors or it could be growing in places that are completely out of sight,” said Jason Dobranic, Ph.D., Vice President of Microbiology and Life Sciences at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “This is why indoor environmental quality testing for mold and other common asthma triggers can be very helpful for asthmatics to be able to identify and mitigate exposure risks in their homes, schools, or workplaces. With laboratories across the United States and Canada, EMSL Analytical provides these testing resources. Our environmental laboratories offer testing services, sampling supplies, easy-to-use test kits, air monitoring instruments and building inspection tools to help detect mold, moisture, and many other indoor environmental quality issues.”

EMSL Analytical also recently sponsored an educational video about mold as an asthma trigger that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/LKb4pVrztM0 

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

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.

EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories with 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, VOCs, 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.