Indoor Air Quality Testing Services

Cinnaminson, New Jersey, September 9, 2024

Last month, it was reported by local media that some 90 employees of the City and County of Honolulu’s Office for Corporation Counsel were forced to work remotely. According to accounts, workers from the office were told to telework after some employees complained of allergy systems that were then linked to the 50 year old HVAC system that serves the department.   

A very likely culprit in circumstances like these is mold. Mold is known to produce allergens, irritants, and in some cases, potentially toxic substances known as mycotoxins. Inhaling and touching mold may cause an allergic reaction in some sensitive individuals. Both dead and alive mold can cause allergic reactions and they can be immediate or delayed. Allergic responses may include hay fever-like symptoms such as headache, sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rashes. Repeated or a single exposure to mold, mold spores, or mold fragments may cause non-sensitive individuals to become sensitive to mold. Repeated exposures also have the potential to increase this sensitivity.

“For some asthmatics, exposure to mold can trigger an asthma attack,” said Jason Dobranic, Ph.D., Vice President of Microbiology and Life Sciences at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Some types of mold can even cause opportunistic infections in people with a weakened immune system. These are all reasons why taking steps to protect workers and building occupants from breathing elevated levels of mold is so important. At EMSL Analytical, we have laboratories across North America that provide environmental testing services to identify mold, bacteria, chemicals, and other indoor environmental quality exposure risks. We also offer sampling supplies, easy-to-use test kits, air monitoring instruments, building inspection tools, and personal protective equipment to identify mold and moisture issues, and to mitigate exposure concerns.”

To learn more about mold or other indoor environmental quality testing resources, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675, 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 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.