Environmental Diagnostics Laboratory, the in-house microbiology laboratory of Pure Air Control Services, has received a perfect score (fungi and bacteria) over the past 2 years on the Environmental Microbiology Proficiency Analytical Testing (EMPAT) Program, a performance evaluation sponsored by the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA). This places EDLab as the most distinguised environmental microbiology laboratory in the US.
The EMPAT program was designed and developed for microbiology labs specializing in analysis of microorganisms commonly detected in air, fluids and bulk samples. These samples are most often collected from schools, offices, hospitals, industrial and agricultural areas and other work environments, and then sent to the EDLab for analysis.
EDLab was tested in both bacteria and fungi categories, and received 100% in both areas. With a total possible score of 27, EDLab scored the maximum possible score in both bacteria and fungi. The proficiency samples are scored based on the following point system in 2005/2006:
· Correctly identified at the species level (if genus identification correct) +10 points
· Correctly identified at the genus level (if species is not attempted) +9 points
· Correctly identified at the genus level (and species is incorrectly attempted) +8 points
· Incorrect identification at genus level 0 points
During the 2005 - 2006 EMPAT rounds (8), EDLab received an impressive “Perfect 10”, 100% accuracy on mold identification, and on bacteria.
A laboratory is then rated proficient for the applicable Field of Testing Methods if two (2) of the last three (3) consecutive EMPAT rounds have passing scores. A passing score is achieved when the laboratory receives a minimum of eighty-five (85) percent for the associated EMPAT sample.
“Invention was born out of necessity in the case of EDLab receiving a perfect score in the EMPAT program. The necessity was to ensure our customers that EDLab has the most accurate, professional, scientific methods and protocol to make our conclusions for authentic laboratory results. A third party evaluation is always an excellent method to challenge the accuracy and standards of any laboratory. Clearly, with our 100% accuracy EMPAT score, EDLab maintains its goal to provide the highest level of accuracy the industry has to offer,” stated Dr. Rajiv Sahay, Director of EDLab.
EDLab is a nationally recognized AIHA-accredited environmental microbiology laboratory and was the first AIHA-accredited lab in the state of Florida. EDLab continues to stand out in the field of indoor environmental quality, and utilize the data collected over the past 10 years, and over 100,000 samples, to create a vast database that is being utilized to set standards and provide trends for developing baseline conditions of IEQ.
In 2005, EDLab presented a white paper at the AIHA conference in Anaheim, CA, before a packed auditorium of over 400 people, entitled “Bio-Aerosols – A Ten Year Study.” The study provided indoor analysts with guidelines to determine what is considered “normal” in an indoor environment for mold and bacteria. A copy of this study is available upon request.
The parent company, Pure Air Control Services (http://www.pureaircontrols.com), a certified MBE 8(a) company and U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Supply schedule contractor (#GSA-10F-0488R), is an indoor environmental consulting firm with expertise in industrial hygiene, microbiology, public health, building science and mechanical engineering. In addition, through it’s Building Remediation Services Division, the firm provides HVAC system cleaning and mold remediation services. The firm has over 500 million square feet of building/home diagnostics/remediation experience in over 10,000 buildings/homes and has
analyzed over 100,000 environmental laboratory samples. In addition, the professional staff have served as expert witnesses in over 80 mold/IEQ-related cases.
Source:
Pure Air Control Services
Contact:
Ed Ziegler
VP Business Development
Pure Air Control Services, Inc.
Environmental Diagnostic Laboratory (EDLab)
800-422-7873 x804
www.pureaircontrols.com
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