Indoor Air Quality Testing Services

Cinnaminson, New Jersey, December 13, 2024

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a new Emergencies and Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) website earlier this year to provide the public with information about how to protect themselves and their IAQ before, during, and after emergencies.

EPA suggests that preparation and response to weather-related and man-made emergencies is particularly important when it comes to indoor environments, since humans spend most of their time indoors, and rely on indoor spaces for shelter. Specific areas of focus listed by EPA include wildfires, floods, power outages, extreme heat, and winter weather.

Regarding wildfires, EPA warns that smoke from wildfires can make its way inside, making the air indoors unhealthy to breathe. The agency also shares the fact that floodwaters can make the air in homes unhealthy. This is because when things remain wet for more than 24-48 hours, they usually get moldy. Floodwaters can even carry biological and chemical contaminants indoors, which may affect people’s health. 

Power outages that last longer than a few hours can also adversely impact indoor air quality. EPA encourages individuals to take action to prevent the buildup of harmful indoor pollutants during an outage, including deadly carbon monoxide from generators or other sources. EPA also cautions that when indoor temperatures rise, people can suffer from potentially deadly illnesses, including heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Likewise with winter weather, the agency reports that winter storms and cold temperatures can create potentially dangerous conditions in and around a home, including by impacting the indoor air quality. 

“Being prepared for an emergency, especially for businesses and institutions that need to remain operational, means knowing who to turn to for help,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President, Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “At EMSL, our indoor air quality, industrial hygiene, material, infection control, and environmental testing experts are ready to help. We provide laboratory testing services, sampling supplies, test kits, building inspection tools, environmental monitoring instruments, and personal protective equipment. Resources like these can be instrumental for safely identifying indoor or outdoor exposure hazards following an emergency, including from chemical, radiological, or biological threats.”

EMSL also recently sponsored an educational video about emergencies and IAQ that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/8-1AGD52_fk

To learn more about indoor air quality, industrial hygiene, infection control, or other environmental, health, and safety testing resources, please visit www.EMSL.com, email info@EMSL.com, or call (800) 220-3675. To access 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.