In 2008, the governors of Georgia, Michigan and several other states proclaimed September 2008 to be Indoor Mold Awareness Month. Earlier this year the Nevada State Legislature also designated September 2009 as National Indoor Toxic Mold Awareness Month.

This special designation for September is meant to increase public awareness of how indoor molds can adversely affect human health. Since mold problems can occur in virtually any building that has excessive moisture; we all need to be aware of the signs of mold contamination and how to prevent its occurrence in the first place.

EMSL Analytical, one of the largest indoor air quality (IAQ) testing laboratory networks, has been involved with IAQ testing since 1981 and supports Indoor Mold Awareness Month. The company has a long tradition of providing not only testing solutions, but also educational information about indoor air quality issues.

EMSL is devoted to providing free information about mold and other contaminants that can be found in residential and commercial buildings. The educational tools include posters, articles, brochures, fungal facts, a fungal photo gallery and even a complimentary fungal CD. Information about other hazards such as radon, asbestos and bacterial contaminants can also be found in the ‘Resources’ section of www.EMSL.com.

Educating the public about preventing or minimizing mold’s presence is something that can be accomplished. Providing awareness and education tools helps guard those that are already sensitive to mold exposure and protects those that would otherwise be sensitized from future exposures.

“Educating the public about microbial contaminants is the first step in helping to solve this widespread problem,” reported Joe Frasca, Executive Vice President for EMSL Analytical. “EMSL Analytical has made a tremendous amount of resources available to professionals and the public to help them better understand the dangers of mold exposure,” Frasca continued.