News

Alabama Department of Public Health Investigates Outbreak of Legionnaires’ Disease

EMSL Analytical offers rapid PCR and traditional culturing methods to analyze environmental samples for Legionella, the microbial pathogen that causes Legionnaires’ disease, to help prevent the disease.

Atlanta, Georgia, February 6, 2023 In December, multiple media outlets reported that the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) was investigating a cluster of Legionnaires’ disease cases. According to news reports, the outbreak is linked to a condominium complex in Baldwin County. Legionnaires’ disease is a serious type of pneumonia that can result when people inhale water droplets or mists containing Legionella bacteria. Exposure to Legionella can also cause a less severe condition known as Pontiac fever. Legionella is.......[Read More] [All News]

New Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries from BLS and Industrial Hygiene Laboratory Resources to Support EHS Programs

EMSL Analytical provides industrial hygiene and environmental, health and safety (EHS) laboratory services, sampling supplies, monitoring instruments, personal protective equipment and other tools to help protect workers from exposure hazards.

Cinnaminson, New Jersey, February 2, 2023 The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) published its annual National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries last month. The report covers data from 2021 and sadly shows a one-year increase in fatal work injuries of almost 9 percent. There were 5,190 fatal work injuries recorded in the United States in 2021, an 8.9-percent increase from the 4,764 in 2020. The fatal work injury rate was 3.6 fatalities per 100,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) workers, up from 3.4 per 100,000 FTE in 2020 and up.......[Read More] [All News]

City Officials Temporarily Close Main Library Due to Meth Contamination Concerns

EMSL Analytical provides laboratory testing services, sampling supplies, test kits and personal protective equipment to safely identify illicit drugs and the residues that are often left behind after their use or from clandestine drug production.

Denver, CO, January 31, 2023  Last month, the Boulder Public Library in Colorado had to temporarily close its doors after indoor environmental testing identified methamphetamine according to the news media. Testing was ordered after reports reached officials of people smoking in the library restrooms and following several instances where city workers had to receive medical attention after potentially being exposed to meth fumes or residues.  According to a City of Boulder announcement following additional contamination.......[Read More] [All News]

Red Tide Bloom Detected in Florida and Warning of Potential Respiratory Effects

EMSL Analytical offers environmental testing services and sampling supplies to identify harmful algal blooms, and other microbial and chemical pollutants, to protect the public, workers and local ecosystems.

Tampa, Florida, January 27, 2023 In December, the Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County (DOH-Pinellas) notified the public of a red tide bloom that was found along some Pinellas’ coastal beaches. Red tide blooms are a type of harmful algal bloom (HAB) caused by colonies of algae that grow out of control while producing toxins that can potentially harm wildlife, pets and even humans. According to the DOH-Pinellas warning, some people may have mild and short-lived respiratory symptoms such as eye, nose and throat.......[Read More] [All News]

Popcorn Ceilings and Testing for Asbestos Exposure Risks

EMSL Analytical offers laboratory testing services, sampling supplies, test kits and personal protective equipment to identify and mitigate exposure risks to asbestos-containing ceilings and other building materials.

Cinnaminson, New Jersey, January 26, 2023 Countless homes and buildings were constructed in the decades leading up to the 1980s that were made with popcorns ceilings. This once popular way to quickly texture a ceiling has fallen out of favor with property owners and renters, resulting in many being converted to a smooth surface. Unfortunately, many of these aging popcorn ceilings contain asbestos. In addition to popcorn ceilings, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lists ceiling tiles, sprayed-on materials like soundproofing.......[Read More] [All News]

Denver Water’s Lead Reduction Program Found Effective by EPA and Ways to Test Drinking Water Quality

EMSL Analytical offers laboratory testing services, sampling supplies and easy-to-use test kits to identify lead and other contaminants from water samples.

Denver, Colorado, January 23, 2023  Last month, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it approved Denver Water’s comprehensive approach for reducing lead in drinking water through the issuance of a final variance under the Safe Drinking Water Act. According to the EPA news release: The variance allows Denver Water to continue to implement a set of actions, called the Lead Reduction Program Plan, which work together to reduce lead in Denver’s drinking water. Denver Water is also receiving $76.......[Read More] [All News]