News
EDLab Joins CDC Legionella ELITE Program
Legionella sp screening of the home or work environment is important especially for individuals with immune deficiencies such as allergies, chronic sinusitis, rhinitis, emphysema, asthma, atopic dermatitis, etc… and it is desirable to identify legionella and its potential sources for effective treatment.
Tampa, FL – Legionnaires' disease (LEE-juh-nares) is caused by a type of a Gram-negative organism called Legionella. The bacteria got its name in 1976, when many people who went to a Philadelphia convention of the American Legion suffered from an outbreak of this disease, a type of pneumonia (lung infection). As per CDC, each year, between 8,000 and 18,000 people are hospitalized with Legionnaires' disease in the U.S. However, many infections are not diagnosed or reported, so this number may be higher. More illness is usually found in the summer and early fall, but it can happen any time of year.
The Legionella bacteria are found naturally in the environment, usually in water. The bacteria grow best in warm water, like the kind found in hot tubs, cooling towers, hot water tanks, large plumbing systems, or parts of the air-conditioning systems of large buildings. Legionella sp screening of the home or work environment is important especially for individuals with immune deficiencies such as allergies, chronic sinusitis, rhinitis, emphysema, asthma, atopic dermatitis, etc… and it is desirable to identify legionella and its potential sources for effective treatment.
About the Environmental Legionella Isolation Techniques Evaluation (ELITE) Program:
Culture and enumeration of Legionella from environmental sources involves several steps including concentration of the bacteria, re-suspension, selective pre-treatments, and the use of complex media. Use of a suitable isolation protocol is critical for determining whether Legionella are present in a sample and at what concentration. According to the CDC, the ELITE Program was created as a way for laboratories to test their Legionella isolation techniques against standardized samples. Participating labs receive a panel of lyophilized test samples biannually.
The test samples are divided between Legionella positive or negative and may be mixed with other organisms commonly found in water. After reconstituting the test samples, participants process them according to their protocols and report their results. Labs that correctly identify Legionella from the test samples in two consecutive panels receive a certificate of proficiency and are listed as ELITE Members. As a leading AIHA accredited environmental microbiology laboratory we are excited to join and participate in the CDC ELITE program furthering our quality commitment to our clients.” stated Dr Rajiv Sahay, Director of EDLab.
For additional information on legionella lab analysis or testing services provided by EDLab please call 1-800-422-7873 ext 804.
About Environmental Diagnostics laboratory (EDLab):
The Environmental Diagnostics Laboratory (EDLab) (established in 1992) at Pure Air Control Services (PACS) is an AIHA accredited environmental lab # EMLAP 102795 offering complete and comprehensive indoor environmental microbiology laboratory services. They include: microbiology, aerobiology, allergen assays, microscopy and chemistry (partner lab) 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 1-800-422-7873 x 804, or visit http://www.edlab.org/.
###
This article EDLab Joins CDC ELITE Program has been revised to reflect changes from a previous article dated 02/03/10.
More News
IAQ Test Kits (DIY), PURE-Steam Coil Cleaning and PURE-Decon Room Treatment Showcased at the Annual FRACCA Conference
This annual event provides an opportunity for licensed contractors throughout the State of Florida to obtain all 14 state-required hours of continuing education over the course of the two-day event.
Released On: 3/8/2014
Views: 4251
Free Legionella Webinar: Detection & Identification Workshop
Although this type of bacteria was around before1976, more illness from Legionnaires' disease is being detected now. Due to consumer awareness, added research and technological advances in healthcare Legionnaires disease identification is becomi ...
Released On: 3/4/2014
Views: 4088
Why Some High-Performance Buildings Are Failing?
Performance of a building depends on its structured integrity, preventive maintenance, as well as periodical monitoring of the environmental conditions essential for its functionality.
Released On: 2/19/2014
Views: 4113
Legionnaire’s – What You Should Know About The Potential Deadly Bacteria
According to Building Operating Management magazine, expert Victor Yu, MD, Professor of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh; Chief, Infectious Disease Section, VA Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, disclosed that “Up to 70% of all buildings greater t ...
Released On: 2/18/2014
Views: 3669
Managing of Indoor Environments: Problems and Solutions - IEQ WEBINAR
Released On: 1/22/2014
Views: 3559
Save Energy and Improve Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) with PURE-Steam Deep Coil Cleaning
High efficiency coils are extremely susceptible to blockage from dust accumulation because once lodged deeply within the fins bacteria and mold may initiate growth, which not only compounds the blockage problems but also gives rise to excessive o ...
Released On: 1/8/2014
Views: 6347
January is National Radon Action Month
Exposure to radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. Radon is an odorless, tasteless and invisible gas produced by the decay of naturally occurring uranium in soil and water.
Released On: 1/8/2014
Views: 4012
Why indoor air quality is important to all of us?
World Health Organization (WHO Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality, 2009) concluded that the most important effect is increased prevalence of respiratory symptoms, allergies and asthma, as well as perturbation of the immunological systems
Released On: 12/31/2013
Views: 4042
Pure Air Control Services Launches New Interactive Website
The website is a true indoor environmental resource for the private and public sector including consumers, educational facilities e.g. schools, universities, along with city, county state and federal governments, healthcare and the public sector.
Released On: 12/20/2013
Views: 3067
Pure Air Control Services Awarded Certification from Doctor Trusted
“We are very proud to have been given the opportunity to display that we are a Doctor Trusted recipient. We will continue as always to help provide our customers with a great products and services,” stated Dr. Rajiv Sahay, environmental analytica ...
Released On: 12/11/2013
Views: 3997
IndoorAirTest.com Receives Seal of Approval by Doctor Trusted
IndoorAirtest.com is very proud to have a Doctor Trusted seal of approval displayed on our website, giving our customers more confidence when shopping with us.
Released On: 12/4/2013
Views: 4421
PURE-Decon/Sanosil, Reduces Sick Days Caused by Infection
Released On: 10/2/2013
Views: 3355
Controlling Asthma & Allergy Triggers Through Source Identification
The assessment of allergens in a house dust sample is an essential step for allergen-avoidance and provides information essential for allergen-reducing measures, in addition to managing the indoor environment from a health and hygiene point of view
Released On: 9/18/2013
Views: 5442
Hospitals Get a “Clean Bill of Health” with Innovative IAQ/Energy Solutions
Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are infections that patients acquire during the course of receiving healthcare treatment for other conditions.
Released On: 7/31/2013
Views: 4479
How Safe is Formaldehyde in our Buildings and Homes?
Released On: 7/17/2013
Views: 4721
Commercial Energy Solutions Seminar July 26, 2013
Released On: 7/11/2013
Views: 4789
Health Risks Associated With Indoor Microbes
Some common and frequently reported microbes of the indoor environment include, but are not limited to, viruses, bacteria, mycoplasma, mold (fungi), yeast, protozoa, etc.
Released On: 6/26/2013
Views: 5969
Aspergillosis: A Cause for Indoor Concerns?
In indoor environments, this fungus can be transported from outside or may propagate on building materials such as cellulose rich sheet rocks, etc. and can generally be isolated from floors, carpets, mattress dust, Heating Ventilation Air Conditi ...
Released On: 6/19/2013
Views: 10517
Map
Pure Air Control, Services, Inc.
Get DirectionsPure Air Control, Services, Inc.
-
4911 Creekside Drive
Clearwater, Florida 33760
United States - 1 (800) 422-7873
