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Microbial Toxins May be Present after a Flood or Sewage Backup


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EMSL Analytical offers environmental testing services to identify bacterial toxins associated with flooding and sanitary sewer overflows (SSO).
 
Cinnaminson, NJ, July 10th, 2012
 
When people discover that flooding or a sanitary sewer overflow has damaged their home of business the first thing people often think about is having the property cleaned as quickly as possible.  These types of flooding events can be devastating to families and businesses.
 
The mess left behind is not only unsightly, but can harbor a host of microbial pathogens and even microbial toxins.  One such toxin that needs to be considered is endotoxins.
 
Endotoxins are a type of bacterial toxin that is located in the cell wall component of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria.   Endotoxins are lipopolysacchride (LPS) complexes.  They are heat stable and unlike exotoxins, which are secreted, endotoxins are not secreted and are associated with the cell wall.  They can be released when the bacterial cells are disrupted or upon the destruction of the bacterial cell.
 
Exposure to these toxins is a real potential concern following a flooding or sanitary sewer overflow.  Bacteria such as E. coli, Salmonella, and Helicobacter, often associated with these flooding events, are all Gram-negative types of bacteria. 
 
One company that has been at the forefront in helping to identify microbial toxins is EMSL Analytical, Inc.  “People can be affected by endotoxins with severe reactions including fever, decreased blood pressure, inflammation, coagulation and endotoxemia,” reported Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President, Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc.  “Building inhabitants and remediation contractors may be exposed to these harmful toxins after a flooding event, especially when raw sewage is involved.  People may be directly exposed to endotoxins by touching contaminated materials or by breathing these toxins if they have become airborne.  Environmental sampling can identify the presence of these, and other, potentially harmful microbial toxins.
 
EMSL recently sponsored an educational video about endotoxins that can be seen at: http://youtu.be/8BhgznFE9Ow
 
To learn more about testing for microbial contaminants and toxins or other environmental issues, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email info@EMSL.com .
 
About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of environmental 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. 



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 endotoxins
 microbial toxins
 salmonella
 e. coli
 microbial contaminants


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