Sewage Testing Services

The Salt Lake County Health Department recently issued a Notification of Premises Closed to Occupancy to a care facility housing approximately 17 individuals in Utah. According to the notification letter, an inspection discovered that a sewer line backup had caused widespread contamination and bed bugs were also found.

Sewage contamination creates a health and safety concern for anyone that comes in contact with it. Raw sewage can expose people to a wide range of pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, and parasites. If not addressed quickly, any standing water and wet materials will allow these organisms to multiply. The presence of bed bugs can cause itching and loss of sleep for people living or working in, or visiting, an infested property. Some people may also suffer allergic reactions caused by their presence.

“Raw sewage or any flooding event in a building will lead to the growth of mold in as short as 48 hours in most circumstances if the situation is not quickly and properly addressed,” said Jason Dobranic, Ph.D., Vice President of Microbiology and Life Sciences at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Sewage contamination and mold growth, whether in a home, school or place of business, is a concern for not only building occupants, but also for people tasked with cleaning up the mess. In a care facility or other location that may be housing people with existing health issues or weak immune systems, it is even more concerning.”

Offering indoor environmental quality (IEQ) testing services to identify sewage, mold, bacteria, bed bugs, and other exposure risks are the professionals at EMSL Analytical, Inc. With dozens of laboratories across the United States and Canada, EMSL provides comprehensive IEQ testing services for microbial and chemical contaminants. They also offer sampling supplies, easy-to-use test kits, building inspections tools, and personal protective equipment.

For more information about sewage, mold, bed bugs, or other environmental, health and safety testing services, please visit www.EMSL.com, email info@EMSL.com or call (800) 220-3675. To access to IEQ test kits, visit www.EMSLTestKits.com.

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.

EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria, Legionella, USP <797>, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOC’s, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products, and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA-LAP, LLC (AIHA-LAP, LLC EMLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC IHLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP, and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations. In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.