Some Vermont Preschools and Child Care Centers Tested for Potentially Harmful Dry Cleaning Chemicals

Late last year, the Vermont Business Magazine published an article about six preschool and child care centers that have been selected to be tested for the possible presence of hazardous chemicals. Each of the locations is reportedly within 200 feet of a current or former dry cleaning business.

The Vermont Department of Health reports the assessment effort is a joint initiative being conducted along with the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Department for Children and Families (DCF). The six locations will be assessed for various dry cleaning chemicals that can seep into the soil and groundwater and migrate into nearby buildings through a process known as vapor intrusion. The locations were picked because in the past dry cleaners traditionally used some potentially hazardous chemicals which were not always stored and/or disposed of properly.

According to the Department of Health, air pockets in the soil beneath the child care facilities will be tested. If the levels of chemicals in the soil gas are high, the indoor air of the child care facility will be tested. If the levels of chemicals in the indoor air are high, more steps will be taken. Additional steps may include more testing or installing a mitigation system to keep the chemicals from getting into the air.

“Across the nation, numerous dry cleaning facilities, some of which haven’t been in business for decades, have been associated with contamination issues and vapor intrusion hazards,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “These cases often revolve around tetrachloroethylene (PERC), trichloroethylene (TCE) and a handful of other chemicals that can create serious exposure concerns in homes and buildings. The presence of these chemicals in the air of a building is often not detectable by people’s sense of smell. The only way to know for sure if there is a potential hazard is to perform vapor intrusion testing.”

Those concerned about vapor intrusion in their homes, schools and businesses can turn to EMSL Analytical, Inc. for comprehensive testing services and all of the sampling supplies necessary. EMSL’s network of laboratories offer testing for PERC, TCE and a wide range of industrial pollutants associated with vapor intrusion as well as water and soil contamination issues.

To learn more about vapor intrusion testing or other environmental, occupational, indoor air quality (IAQ), health and safety services, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email  info@EMSL.com .

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.

EMSL Analytical, Inc. is one of the leading testing laboratories with 42 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