News
After the Floods Comes Mold and Bacteria
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.
Nashville, TN – A record-shattering rainstorm fell on the South this past week, delivering widespread flooding in Mississippi, Kentucky and Tennessee. The storm soaked the southern states pushing rivers over their banks, closing roads and schools, and requiring thousands of people to evacuate. The rain has finally tapered off, and is expected to be the most severe flooding to hit the south.
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.
Dangerous toxins found in flood waters are a significant health problem for area residents in the flooded portions of Tennessee.
Standing water is a breeding ground for bacteria, viruses and mold, which can become airborne and put people at risk for lung disease and other respiratory problems. Contaminants in the flood waters can pose additional threats that last long after the waters recede. .
Contaminants, bacteria, viruses and mold pose risks even after the waters recede. Children, seniors and people with lung diseases like asthma and COPD are at a higher risk of developing breathing problems from these contaminants.
The American Lung Association cautions Tennessee residents that dampness, and not just standing water, gives rise to mold and mildew.
Floods can bring into your home a toxic mix of contaminants that can include sewage, pesticides, and chemicals. The most important part of the cleanup process is removing all the water, including the hidden dampness that can remain in indoor areas to prevent the growth of mold.
Damaged materials and furnishings should be discarded, including any items that cannot be thoroughly cleaned and dried within 24-48 hours. Simply drying out water will not remove the contaminants or toxins that can make people sick. Furniture and other personal belongings covered by water should be discarded to prevent mold growth.
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 May 3, 2010 till June 30, 2010 for flood-affected areas of the south.
*******************************************
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 Control 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.
iaq@pureaircontrols.com
www.Edlab.org
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
