analytical environmental science News
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EMSL Contributes to the Discovery of a New Fungal Species
EMSL scientist, Dr. Zelijko Jurjevic, and colleague Stephen W. Peterson from the USDA, Peoria, IL, have contributed to the discovery of a new fungal species known as Talaromyces columbinus sp. nov., a potential human pathogen. Talaromyces columbinus has previously been reported as a causal organism in certain human lung infections under the name Penicillium piceum. This new fungus was isolated ...
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Shewanella oneidensis Bacteria Found to Breathe Iron
According to R&D Magazine, researchers have discovered that when proteins on the surface of bacteria touch a mineral surface, the bacteria produces an electric current allowing it to breathe iron the way humans breathe oxygen. Researchers believe that by understanding how the bacteria are able to breathe iron, they will be able to use the microbes for cleaning up soil contaminants, trapping ...
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EMSL San Leandro Expands Laboratory Certifications
The California Department of Public Health’s Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program has extended EMSL Analytical’s CA ELAP accreditation at our San Leandro, California laboratory. In the testing field of microbiology of drinking water, EMSL San Leandro is now equipped and accredited for three new microbiology analyses: Total Coliform, E. coli, and Fecel Coliform ...
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Lunchboxes Recalled After Toxic Chemical Leak
Insulated lunchboxes made by California Innovations, Inc. of Toronto, Canada have been recalled due to the risk of ingestion of toxic chemicals in the freezer gel packs. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the company recommended that consumers stop using the product immediately. The freezer gel packs inside of the lunchboxes contain diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol, which ...
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Triclosan in Antibacterial Products Linked With Impaired Muscle Function
A recent study published by the Proceedings of National Academy of Science has found that exposure to the chemical triclosan is linked to muscle function impairments. Triclosan is an antimicrobial agent typically found in products such as soaps, deodorants, toothpaste, mouthwash, clothes, bedding, carpet, toys, and trash bags. Researchers conducted their studies on mice and fish in response to ...
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EMSL Recognized as AOAC Collaborator
This week EMSL Analytical, Inc. was honored and recognized as a study collaborator in a first action Official Method (OMA) approval for VIDAS UP Listeria (LPT) and VIDAS Listeria monocytogenes Xpress (LMX) at the AOAC International Expo in Chicago. An industry and AOAC first, approval was obtained in a swift three month time period. The celebration was hosted by the method development firm ...
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Is Mold in School Making Your Child Sick?
Studies estimate that a third or more of American schools have mold and other indoor air pollutants that are serious enough to provoke respiratory issues, says CNN in a special report on air problems making children sick in schools. The news organization also cites a national survey of school nurses which found that 40 percent knew of students and staff adversely affected by indoor ...
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Excessive Levels of Chromium Lead to Chinese Recall of 13 Drugs
This week, China’s State Food and Drug Administration halted the sale of thirteen drugs that are believed to contain excessive levels of chromium. The capsules were manufactured with industrial gelatin, which contains higher levels of chromium than edible gelatin. The administration says they have started an investigation into the case. China has a history of struggling with pharmaceutical ...
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Coal Tar Constituent Found to be Carcinogenic to Humans
After analysis the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, has released a draft toxicological review classifying benzo[a]pyrene, a combustion chemical in coal tar, as a human carcinogen. Additionally the chemical is harmful to developing organs and systems. Benzo[a]pyrene is not used commercially but is ubiquitous in the environment from forest fires, motor vehicle exhaust, coal-burning furnaces, ...
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EMSL Mechanical Testing Lab Receives A2LA Accreditation
EMSL is proud to announce that the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) has accredited EMSL Analytical’s corporate headquarters in Cinnaminson, New Jersey for Mechanical Testing (A2LA Cert. #2845.16.) This accreditation demonstrates technical competence for the defined scope and operation of a laboratory quality management system. It is in accordance with the ...
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J&J Recalls Aveeno Baby Lotion after Finding High Levels of Bacteria
Johnson & Johnson announced that it is voluntarily recalling one lot, which comprises 2,200 tubes, of Aveeno Baby Calming Comfort Lotion as a precautionary measure after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found high levels of a common type of bacteria in the product. According to the company, test results done by an independent laboratory showed that levels of bacteria were not ...
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Lead Harms Children at Lower Levels than Previously Thought, Study Finds
Experts say that the threshold for diagnosing lead poisoning in children should be lowered in light of new evidence that lead can harm children at lower levels than previously thought. Consequently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) may revise its standards in response to a federal advisory committee’s recommendation. According the New York Times, this is the first ...
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New Study Finds C. diff Infections on the Rise
According to a new study, presented during Digestive Disease Week 2012, cases of Clostridium difficile, or C. diff, are increasing in the United States. The Mayo Clinic study found that the number of infections from 2004 to 2009 were twelve times higher in children then from 1991 to 1997. Among these cases, 75% were not contracted during a hospital stay. Until recently, C. diff infection was ...
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Benzene Levels Exceed Limits in 12 of the 17 Wells Contaminated in Jackson
After a massive gas spill in Jackson, WI, 17 private wells have been contaminated with gasoline. Levels of benzene, a gasoline component, in 12 of the wells were found to be higher than the safe drinking water standard of 5 parts per billion established by the federal government. The pipeline break that occurred on July 17th spilled an estimated 54,600 gallons of gasoline. An excavation of ...
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EPA Finalizes Standards to Cut Emissions for Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Production Facilities
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued final standards for facilities that produce polyvinyl chloride and copolymers (PVC) with the aim of reducing harmful air emissions. According to the agency, facilities will be required to monitor emissions at certain points in the PVC production process to ensure that the standards are met. One compound released during the manufacture of PVC ...
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Undeclared Allergen Alert: “Gluten Free” Candy with Wheat
Jelly Belly Candy Co. of Fairfield, CA is recalling Peter Rabbit Deluxe Easter Mix “Gluten Free” candies, because the malted milk balls in the mix contain wheat. The recall only affects 2.7 oz. bags with UPC 071567992794, which have lot codes 111111, 111215, and 120120. They are marked with “best before” dates of January 11, 2013, February 15, 2013, and March 20, 2013 ...
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Hexavalent Chromium Contamination Forces EPA to Demolish New Jersey Building
According to the Environmental Protective Agency (EPA), the E.C. Electroplating building in Garfield, NJ will be carefully torn down due to hexavalent chromium contamination. Groundwater beneath the building has also been impacted by the chemical, which affects nearby residents as the water seeps into their basements. Preliminary samples reveal that parts of the E.P. Electroplating building, its ...
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Radiation Concerns Community after Idaho Wildfire Burns Mining Sites
According to the Huffington Post, a wildfire in east-central Idaho has burned three former mining sites that contain traces of radioactive thorium and uranium. The conflagration is now approaching a fourth mining site, although officials have reported that the risk to human health is low. The radiation in the mines compounds an already difficult situation: the blaze has ignited 333,000 acres of ...
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Bacteria Detected in Hand Soap Causes Recall in Canada
According to CBC News, Avmor Ltd. of Laval, Quebec has issued a voluntary recall of one lot of their Antimicrobial Foaming Hand Soap after testing conducted by Health Canada detected the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The Drug Identification Number for the infected product is 02319144, and the lot number is F121392032. Approximately 1,020 one-liter containers are included in this recall. The ...
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Mold Contamination Forces Florida Elementary School to Close
According to The Gainesville Sun, Starke Elementary School in Bradford County, Florida has been closed due to mold and fungus contaminations. The five hundred students who attend the school will be sent to alternate schools in the area or other locations until the issue is resolved. The school has reportedly experienced mold issues since it was built sixteen years ago. After an increasing number ...
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