(prHWY.com) March 26, 2012 - Chatsworth, CA -- EMSL Analytical, Inc. has two new tests, Total Bacteroides and Human Bacteroides, to determine the presence of fecal or sewage contamination. The creation of these tests resulted from the research that EMSL is completing for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) about this genus of bacteria. The EPA wants to develop a more specific, rapid test for detecting fecal contamination with a PCR-based method, specifically using Bacteroides.
Unlike the current fecal indicator tests that are culture-based, Bacteroides tests:
· Are specific for fecal contamination
· Are highly sensitive
· Are reproduceable
· Need no special shipping requirements
· Have no holding time restrictions
· Results can be obtained within hours
Total Bacteroides encompasses animal (mammalian) and human sources, while Human Bacteroides is for human sources only. How do you choose between the tests? The following are some quick guidelines:
1) If the concern is contamination from surface water, river, or storm water after a flood, Total Bacteroides is the best choice. Runoff from streets (dog manure), manure-contaminated runoff from agricultural operations, and sanitary wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) overflows are a concern. Flooding increases the risk of human disease caused by both animal and human sources of contamination, so a test that detects both is needed.
2) If the concern is a toilet overflow or a backup/ overflow from a sanitary sewer (which handles only human discharges), then Human Bacteroides is the best choice. Using this test, background contamination by animal Bacteroides from pets, re-used mops, soles of shoes, etc. is eliminated.
3) If the concern is the contamination from the backup or overflow of a combined sewer discharge, which contains both storm water and sanitary (human) discharges, then Total Bacteroides is the best choice.
4) If identification of the source of fecal contamination from ground water under the influence of surface water is needed, the best choice is using both Total and Human Bacteroides. The difference in the results represents the amount contributed by all animal sources (e.g. farming operations). Using Total and Human Bacteroides, you will be able to determine what percentage of the contamination is from human and farming-related sources.
Mold Inspection Los Angeles
Contact Diane Miskowski at 1-800-220-3675 Ext. 2528 for further information.
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