Texas Property Owners May Face Soot Contamination from Wildfires

April 11, 2011 - PRLog -- Six new wildfires, in six separate counties, were reported in Texas yesterday.  Each was fortunately brought under control.  That was the good news; the bad news was that fire officials were still trying to manage 19 other much large blazes across the state in 13 counties.

The historic wildfire season has prompted Governor Rick Perry to renew a disaster proclamation for all 249 counties in Texas.  Since the fire season began authorities have responded to almost 7,000 fires across more than 600,000 acres.

The largest of the fires that are still not completely under control are located in Potter, Moore, Presidio, Stonewall, King and Knox counties.   Dozens of homes and structures have already been lost to the fires.  The fires have also caused Oklahoma’s Governor Mary Fallin to extend a state of emergency for seven counties.

In addition to the direct threat of fires to buildings, those that survive untouched by flames may have extensive smoke damage since wildfires can produce an enormous amount of smoke.  This smoke is filled with combustion by-products that include soot, ash and char.  Smoke infiltration into buildings can have damaging effects to both property and humans.

“Many properties that survive an initial wildfire are left with problems ranging from smoke odors to soot residues throughout the property,” reported Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President, Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “These odors, discoloration and ‘ghosting’ effects can result when carbon black and combustion byproducts (carbonized material) are deposited on building surfaces.   Our laboratory in Houston is ready to assist property owners who need testing services to identify and confirm the scope of any smoke damage.  This is often necessary for insurance claims,” he continued.

To learn more about testing for smoke damage, char, carbon black, soot, indoor air quality (IAQ) or other environmental issues please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800)220-3675 or email info@EMSL.com.

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About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical Inc. is one of the leading testing laboratories with over 39 locations throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in consumer product, environmental, industrial hygiene, indoor air quality, microbiology, radon, food and materials testing services to professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA EMLAP, AIHA IHLAP, AIHA ELLAP, NVLAP, CDC Elite, CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission), CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX Department of State Health Services, and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website for a complete listing of accreditations.

The EMSL Products Division carries air sampling pumps, equipment, sampling cassettes and monitoring equipment. To contact EMSLs Product Division, email Products@EMSL.com or call 1-888-958-8170 East Coast, 1-866-798-1089 West Coast.