Asbestos Testing

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Cinnaminson, New Jersey, September 1, 2023

A large fire at a vacant commercial property in Portland last month has officials and area residents concerned about possible exposure to asbestos in the debris and ash that has spread to a nearby school and community. Debris at one neighborhood park has already been tested and identified as containing asbestos.

 

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) announced it was working with the Oregon Health Authority, Environmental Protection Agency, Portland Bureau of Emergency Management, Multnomah County and additional Portland agencies to investigate the spread of debris and ash across the Parkrose neighborhood in Northeast Portland.

 

DEQ safety tips for area residents include:

• If possible, avoid areas that have ash or debris.
• If in an area with ash or debris, avoid contact with any debris that may contain asbestos. Debris will look like ash, paper or chunks, and easily crumbles into fibers that can be inhaled. Do not touch, pick up, move, sweep, or vacuum any ash or debris that may have come from the fire.
• Keep children and pets away from ash and debris.
• Do not mow the grass or work in the garden if the area was potentially exposed.
• Gently soak ash and debris with water. This will keep it from becoming airborne; do not power wash.

 

“This incident is a reminder that there are countless occupied and unoccupied buildings across the nation that still contain asbestos and many also have lead-based paints,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President, Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “A fire can easily create an exposure hazard for firefighters, contractors and anyone that lives or works nearby. At EMSL, our environmental, material and industrial hygiene laboratories test for asbestos, lead, smoke residues, gases, particulate matter and even chemicals left after a fire. We also provide sampling supplies, easy-to-use test kits, air monitoring instruments and personal protective equipment.”

 

To learn more about industrial hygiene, material, environmental, health and safety testing resources, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email info@EMSL.com. For access to asbestos, lead or other 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.