Mold Testing Services

Cinnaminson, New Jersey, May 25, 2023

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that exposure to mold can cause many health effects. For some people, mold can cause a stuffy nose, sore throat, coughing, wheezing, burning eyes or skin rash. Asthmatics who are allergic to mold may have severe reactions and the CDC also warns that immunocompromised individuals, and people with chronic lung disease, could be at risk of getting lung infections from some types of mold.

Unfortunately, mold will grow almost anywhere indoors if there is enough moisture. Elevated humidity levels, condensation, water leaks and flood damage can all allow for the rapid growth of mold in a home, school or any type of building within just a few days.

To help prevent indoor mold growth in residential environments, CDC provides the following tips:

• Keep humidity levels in the home low - no higher than 50% - all day long. An air conditioner or dehumidifier will help keep the level low. Humidity levels change over the course of a day so check the humidity levels more than once during the day.
• Be sure the air in the home flows freely. Use exhaust fans that vent outside the home in the kitchen and bathrooms. Also make sure the clothes dryer vents outside the home.
• Fix any leaks in the home’s roof, walls or plumbing so mold does not have moisture to grow.
• Clean up and dry out the home fully and quickly (within 24–48 hours) after a flood.
• Clean bathrooms with mold-killing products.
• Remove or replace carpets and upholstery that have been soaked and cannot be dried right away. Think about not using carpet in places like bathrooms or basements that may have a lot of moisture. 

“Most common building materials, furnishing and personal belongings readily act as a food source if humidity levels are high enough or if there has been water damage,” said Jason Dobranic, Ph.D., Vice President of Microbiology and Life Sciences at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “This is why taking proactive measures and preventive maintenance, as well as responding rapidly to any type of water damage, are so crucial for stopping indoor mold growth and subsequent exposure risks.”

With facilities across North America, EMSL Analytical is pleased to offer laboratory testing services, sampling supplies, easy-to-use test kits, air monitoring instruments and building inspection tools to help detect moisture, mold and many other indoor environmental quality (IEQ) issues. EMSL has even sponsored an educational video that shares the CDC’s tips to prevent indoor mold growth that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/7XthSUBvJ0k 

To learn more about mold or other indoor environmental quality testing services and resources, 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.