It was recently announced that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses of Naugatuck, Connecticut have approved hundreds of thousands of dollars in funding to remove vinyl flooring that contains asbestos from three area schools. While most flooring materials that contain asbestos are not a health risk when they are in good condition, as they age and become friable, or are disturbed, they could release asbestos fibers into the air.

Old flooring, including sheet vinyl, vinyl, or asphalt floor tiles, and any associated paper-like backing, mastic, adhesive or glue, may contain asbestos reports the Minnesota Department of Health. This is due to the fact that asbestos was once added to many different types of floor tiles and associated materials during the manufacturing process to increase the materials' strength and durability. The only way to know if floor tiles, mastics or glues contain asbestos is to have them tested.

“Across the country there are still many schools, commercial buildings, and even homes that have flooring materials that contain asbestos” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Exposure to asbestos fibers over time can lead to mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer. This is why flooring made today no longer contains asbestos and why the handling of these materials during renovation, remodeling, and demolition activities is so often regulated.”

Dedicated to protecting students, families, workers, and building occupants from asbestos exposure hazards are the environmental and industrial hygiene scientists at EMSL Analytical. With dozens of laboratories across the United States and Canada, EMSL provides quick and affordable asbestos testing services for bulk materials and air, surface, and dust samples. They also offer sampling supplies, easy-to-use test kits, air monitoring instruments, and even personal protective equipment (PPE). These services safeguard people and help to keep companies and institutions in regulatory compliance.

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

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