Surge in Spring Allergies may be from more than just Pollen

Pollen is at its worst in years in many parts of the country, but EMSL Analytical warns homeowners to also be aware of mold that may have resulted from heavy rains and snows this past winter.

Westmont, NJ

According to many allergy specialists, 2010 is shaping up to be one of the worst allergy seasons on record. Especially hard hit has been the Southeast where an unseasonably cool winter may have delayed the blooming of many plants. The end result is everything is blooming at once filling the air with pollen.

The El Nino weather pattern of the 2009-2010 Winter also brought record snowfall and rain to parts of the country. Areas that received heavy snow often have to contend with ice damming, which can be a huge problem. As the sun melted the snow and ice the water had no place to go if gutters were frozen solid or obstructed.

The end result is water flowing over a property’s siding and getting into cracks or simply leaching through the roofing material. Unfortunately this moisture not only means water damage and staining, but also often microbial growth. Mold thrives in warm moist environments and that is precisely the environment in most homes that had ice damming. The moisture can lead to mold growth in as short as 24 hours, causing IAQ problems.

EMSL Analytical, one of the nation’s largest mold and allergen testing laboratories, has resources available to help homeowners suffering from allergies determine if they are coming from seasonal pollen or mold in their homes. “EMSL recently lowered the price of our ERMI test which is a great tool for homeowners to determine if they have elevated levels of mold in their homes,” reported Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President for EMSL Analytical. “If you know what is causing the allergies you will know how to fix the problem.”

To learn more about indoor air quality testing or other testing needs please visit www.EMSL.com, email info@EMSL.com or call (800) 220-3675.

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of consumer product, environmental, industrial hygiene, food and materials testing services and products to professionals and the general public. The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.

Contact Information

Joe Frasca

Senior Vice President, Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

Contact via E-mail