Hurricane Ida Causes Massive Property Damage and Leaves Behind Environmental Hazards for Many Area Residents

The insured property damage estimates for the destruction left by Hurricane Ida have already been reported to likely be in the $15 to $20 billion range according to some analysts. The historic hurricane made landfall on the Louisiana coastline as a Category 4 storm with powerful wind, storm surges, and a deluge of rain. The storm also knocked out power to over a million people, some of whom are not expected to have electricity again for weeks.

As the storm has moved inland and weakened, Louisiana residents are just now having the opportunity to assess the damage. This is an important time to remind people of the environmental hazards they may encounter. In addition to the obvious concerns of downed power lines and broken tree limbs, many people in the area will likely encounter significant water damage. Storm surges and flooding can introduce sewage, chemicals, bacteria, mold, and other potential exposure risks.

“For residents in areas without power, even if their home or business didn’t suffer significant water damage, mold can quickly become an issue in an indoor environment without air conditioning and ventilation during these hot and humid conditions,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Mold can begin to grow in as short as 48 hours. Another concern for those tasked with cleanup and rebuilding efforts is the presence of lead-based paints and asbestos-containing materials that can still be found in many homes and buildings.”

To help homeowners, businesses, and institutions safely recover from Hurricane Ida, EMSL Analytical has laboratories across the country that provide testing services for mold, bacteria, sewage, lead, asbestos, and chemicals. EMSL also offers sampling supplies, easy-to-use test kits, air monitoring instruments, building inspection tools, and personal protective equipment.

To learn more about indoor and outdoor environmental quality testing of storm-damaged properties, 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