Chemical Contamination Concerns in the Wake of Hurricane Irene

PRLog (Press Release) - Aug. 30, 2011 - Hurricane Irene left a path of death and destruction across 11 states from North Carolina to Maine.   At least 38 people lost their lives and thousands of homes and businesses have been damaged.  A large number of these damaged properties are the result of floods, heavy rains and tidal surges.

The storm hit some of the most densely populated portions of the entire country.  Some estimates have already put the figure for the total damage caused by Hurricane Irene at approximately $10 billion.

A major concern for flooded properties is the presence of chemical contaminants.  The East Coast has a high percentage of the nation’s chemical manufacturing plants and oil refineries.  Chemical contaminants can also come from landfills, past industrial sites in flood prone areas and a number of superfund locations along the area’s rivers.

In New Jersey alone, there are over 100 superfund sites and thousands of contaminated locations.  “As heavy rains and flood waters make contact with these locations, chemicals can easily leach into the water and be carried into people’s homes, businesses and schools,” reported Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President, Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc., a leading chemical testing laboratory.  “PCPs, dioxin, chromium and lead are just a few of the hundreds of chemicals that people may be exposed to as they begin the long process of rebuilding their properties.  Not only can these chemicals present an immediate risk to those rebuilding, but if they are not properly remediated they could pose long-term concerns for future building occupants.  Fortunately, there are fast and affordable chemical testing solutions so that future environmental and health concerns can be avoided,” he continued.

EMSL has sponsored an online video that educates people about environmental hazards following a hurricane.  It can be seen at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEpmo3Z-wJA




For more information about environmental testing following a flood or hurricane, please contact EMSL at (800) 220-3675, visit www.EMSL.com or email info@EMSL.com.

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EMSL Analytical Inc. is a nationally recognized accredited testing laboratory and locally focused provider of consumer product, environmental, microbiology, industrial hygiene, food and materials testing services to professionals and the general public.

Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/11641409/1