Potential Hazards Lurking in Old Schools and Other Buildings Slated for New Uses

Countless former commercial, military, and institutional properties that are no longer in use are repurposed each year to house new businesses, government agencies, community centers, and for a multitude of other uses. Renovating existing buildings is often an ideal way to provide for community needs at an affordable cost.

Unfortunately, some of these aging properties may also come with risks. Just recently, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the completion of cleanup activities at a former charter school in rural northwest Colorado. The old school will be used as a community center, but this didn’t happen before the agency awarded the town a $200,000 EPA Brownfields grant. The grant was used to pay for the cleanup and removal of asbestos, lead-based paint, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and mold from the building that was originally constructed in 1962.

“In this case, the local community can now safely redevelop the property as a community center that will host events, including holiday celebrations, Boys & Girls Club activities, summer school, meal programs, senior activities, and act as a food pantry,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Had the hazards not been identified and removed before the building was to be renovated, construction workers and future building occupants could have been at risk. EMSL’s laboratories across North America offer air, dust, soil, water, surface, and material testing for lead, asbestos, mold, PCBs, and numerous other substances. Many of these are regulated materials and could be a serious exposure risk. In addition to laboratory testing services, EMSL provides sampling supplies, easy-to-use test kits, building inspection tools, and an assortment of personal protective equipment (PPE).”

To learn more about indoor environmental quality (IEQ) testing services and supplies, 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 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