As The Northeast Water Resides, Mold & Bacteria Rise

CRANSTON, R.I. – A record-shattering rainstorm fell on the Northeast on Tuesday, delivering widespread flooding.  The storm soaked the Ocean State, pushing rivers over their banks, closing roads and schools, and requiring thousands of people to evacuate.  The rain finally tapered off by Tuesday afternoon, with officials bracing for what is expected to be the most severe flooding to hit the state in more than 100 years. Rivers from Maine down to New York were expected to crest on Wednesday or Thursday.

Obama issued disaster declarations for many areas of New England to free up federal aid to residents and households for damages caused by late winter and early spring storms.

POLLUTION AND HIGH HEALTH RISK:

Floodwaters potentially increase the risk of air, surface and water pollution. The stagnant water from flooding is a reservoir for microbes and other chemicals (VOC and other gases) as it contains sewage and other debris. Bacterial and fungi/mold infections are very common in this situation and the contaminated environment carries potential high health risks for diseases/epidemics.

The resident/property owner should avoid direct contact with standing water when possible to minimize the chance for infection. It is also important to have information available on the potential chemical and biological contaminants for managing the risk of health and hygiene.

ENVIRONMENTAL SAMPLING AND ASSESSMENT:

It is essential to know the nature and type of pollutants in order to evaluate the associated risk of a flood-damaged area. EDLab recommends The IAQ Test Kit Center online at www.indoorairtest.com for Do-It-Yourself (DIY) test kits for testing allergens, bacteria, mold, volatile organic compounds (VOC), or flood victims may take advantage of our special program, Building Health Check, for assessing the building condition after the flood.  The Building Health Check (BHC) hotline 800-422-7873 is open and a BHC specialist is ready to help.

Flood victims may also purchase Do-It-Yourself test kits and other sampling supplies available by calling Chris Bower at 1-800-422-7873, Ext. 404.

SPECIAL DISCOUNT:

EDLab offers a 10% discount off the list price on all their services. This offer is valid from April 6, 2010 till May 30, 2010 for flood-affected areas of the northeast.      

Dr. Rajiv Sahay, CIAQP, FIAS

Laboratory Director

EDLab at Pure Air Control Services

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About Environmental Diagnostics laboratory (EDLab):

Alan Wozniak founded Pure Air Control Services, Inc. in 1984 as a small mechanical contracting firm and has since set the industry standard for indoor environmental quality diagnosis, environmental laboratory and remediation. Pure Air Control Services has serviced more than 600 million square feet of indoor environments in over 10,000 facilities.

The Environmental Diagnostics Laboratory (EDLab) (established in 1992) at Pure Air Control Services (PACS) is an AIHA accredited environmental lab offering complete and comprehensive indoor environmental microbiology laboratory services. They include: microbiology, aerobiology, chemistry, allergen assays and microscopy designed to meet all your indoor air needs. EDLab supports IAQ investigations by assisting with strategic sampling plan development and supplying media collection equipment while performing a wide range of environmental analyses.

The company’s expanding client roster includes the General Services Administration (GSA);US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Allstate Insurance; Carrier Air Conditioning; US Naval Air Warfare Center, Orlando; and Naval Air Station - King's Bay, Georgia, and many other Fortune 500 companies, school boards, and city, state, and county governments, making Pure Air Control Services/EDLab the reliable industry leader in IAQ.

For more information on EDLab at Pure Air Services, Inc. please contact Ed Ziegler, VP, at (800) 422-7873 x 804, or DIY Testing Chris Bower ext 404 or visit www.pureaircontrols.com.