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Bacteria
The indoor air of occupied buildings typically
contains higher concentrations and more types of
bacteria than outdoor air. This phenomenon is due to the
fact that most bacteria are human shed.
There are however, bacteria which are found in the
general environment and which in certain cases can
amplify within a building and produce disease. Examples
are:
The bacteria which causes these disease can
proliferate within a buildings water system. When the
water is aerosolized, exposure and infection is
possible. The Center for Disease Control estimates that
25,000 cases of Legionnaires disease occurs in the
United States each year and that the fatality rate is
between five and thirty percent.
Simple testing on a scheduled basis of the buildings
water systems, coupled with an ongoing preventative
maintenance program is the most efficient way of
limiting the potential for these exposures to occur.
EHI personnel can collect samples within the system
and provide analysis for the Legionella Bacteria. EHI is
also capable of collecting air samples for the
Bacterium.
As a results of Bioterrorist concerns, EHI has
developed sampling methods for Bacillus Anthracis the
bacteria responsible for Anthrax. EHI can collect
samples of suspect dusts for laboratory evaluation. It
must be noted that materials fitting the definition of
highly suspicious must be considered evidence and only
be handled by or at the direction of proper Law
enforcement agencies.
Other bacteria such as gram negative bacteria within
an indoor environment may suggest the presence of a
source that would be considered unusual in clean,
properly ventilated buildings. EHI can test for these
types of bacteria in air, bulk and dust samples.
Environmental
Health Investigations, Inc.
655 West Shore Trail
Sparta NJ 07871
Phone: 973-729-5649
E-mail:
info@ehi-inc.com |
