Residents Warned About Possible Sewage Contaminated Shellfish Due To Flooding

Residents of a region in New Zealand are being warned not to collect shellfish after a storm hit, which caused a flood and lead the city council to release sewage into the storm water stream after the storm water system was overwhelmed. It is possible that the sewage contaminated the shellfish on the coastline after the high volume of rain. If the contaminated shellfish are ingested, the person may be at risk for possible illness.

In addition to the unpleasant nature of sewage contamination, it 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. Another concern with this type of flooding is the possible presence of chemicals in the sewage water.

“Flooding with the presence of wastewater is already a concern but is especially dangerous if ingested unknowingly,” said Joseph Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Indoor environmental quality testing can provide important information about these exposure risks to sewage contamination.”

The indoor environmental quality (IEQ) professionals at EMSL Analytical, Inc. offer comprehensive testing services for microbial and chemical contaminants, all of the sampling supplies necessary, and has a line of easy-to-use test kits for many IEQ issues. EMSL also provides testing for foodborne pathogens. These services can be utilized to test raw or final products. Testing after a flood cleanup is also instrumental to ensure that remediation efforts were thorough and did not leave behind any exposure risks.

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


About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories with 45 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-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.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

(1) 856-303-2503

Contact via E-mail