Assessing Property Damage and Environmental Hazards Left by Hurricane Dorian

Earlier this month, Hurricane Dorian decimated parts of the Bahamas and caused widespread damage in North Carolina’s Outer Banks. The hurricane hit the Bahamas as a Category 5 storm with 185 mph winds, heavy rain and storm surge that resulted in numerous fatalities and massive flooding.

Thousands of residential, commercial and institutional properties were damaged or destroyed in the Bahamas. In fact, some estimates of destruction in the Bahamas list over 13,000 homes and businesses destroyed with countless others suffering varying degrees of damage. In North Carolina, a muddy trail of property damage was left behind by storm surge and floodwaters after the hurricane had weakened to a Category 1 storm. The downgraded hurricane still caused wind damage and widespread flooding in areas.

“As residents cleanup and rebuild, they are being warned of the many potential indoor environmental exposure concerns they could encounter that could cause serious health and safety issues,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Some of the most common indoor environmental quality (IEQ) problems are associated with flooding and storm surge. Both can introduce bacteria, mold and chemicals into a building. Even water damage from a leaking rook or siding can support the widespread growth of mold in just a few days if materials remain wet. The process of cleaning up, repairing and rebuilding a damaged property could also expose families, workers or other building occupants to hazardous materials. These include lead-based paints and asbestos if they are not first identified so the proper safety protocols can be put in place.”

The laboratory experts at EMSL Analytical, Inc. are available to help identify microbial and chemical contaminants, lead, asbestos and other hazardous materials and potential exposure concerns. They offer testing services, all of the sampling supplies needed, easy-to-use test kits, building inspection equipment, and respirators and other personal protective equipment (PPE). EMSL has multiple laboratories in North Carolina and dozens more across the United States and Canada ready to help assess health and safety concerns from this historic hurricane.

To learn more about indoor environmental quality testing of damaged properties or other indoor air quality, environmental, health and safety services, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email  info@EMSL.com . For access to IEQ test kits, visit www.EMSLTestKits.com.


About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories with over 46 locations 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 EMLAP, AIHA IHLAP, AIHA 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.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

(1) 856-303-2503

Contact via E-mail