Dear Valued Customer:

We would like to take this opportunity to follow up on our announcement in April of this year that two of the largest and most respected Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) laboratories have merged to form a single company providing analytical services nationwide. EMLab and Aerotech P&K have joined to form EMLab P&K. The purpose of this letter is to communicate several of the positive changes you can expect to see over the coming weeks and months.

As a combined company we have nearly 20 accredited locations nationwide and over 80 degreed professionals - nearly 30 with advanced degrees. We are combining the best quality and service systems from both companies and we believe that this will provide significantly more value to you as a customer. The key benefits we expect EMLab P&K customers to realize include:

a. Additional locations
b. A broader spectrum of enhanced reporting options (most existing report formats will still be available)
c. Faster turnaround time (local/same day)
d. Additional services
      i. Asbestos
      ii. Legionella methods
      iii. PCR
e. Enhanced online capabilities
      i. Data for more tests available online
      ii. Additional online accounting features
      f. Additional technical resources
g. Great customer service, local service (more local labs, not bigger business)

The most visible changes with regards to the new EMLab P&K brand will start to show up on reports, invoices, and correspondence between now and July of this year.

Our goal is to roll out these changes and enhanced services to you as seamlessly as possible. We will do our best to make sure your existing point of contact does not change, and they are available to answer your questions directly. Please contact them with any thoughts or questions. We value your input with regards to these changes and will do everything we can to accommodate your needs.

Best regards,

Dave Gallup Chairman

Belinda Vega President

Analytical services in Fungi, Asbestos, Bacteria, Allergens & Radon

PRESS RELEASE

EMLab's Long Beach Lab Receives NVLAP Accreditation for Asbestos Analysis

San Bruno, CA, December 19, 2006 - Environmental Microbiology Laboratory, Inc. (EMLab™) is pleased to announce the accreditation of its Long Beach laboratory by the National Volunteer Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP) for PLM bulk asbestos analysis (NVLAP Lab Code: 200577-0).

"Receiving our fifth NVLAP accreditation for the Long Beach Regional Lab has shown again that EMLab is among the very best asbestos laboratories in the nation.  The recognition shows that the analytical data produced from any of our facilities is always of the highest quality. As major health and financial decisions are made based on the laboratory results and on the quality system in place in the laboratory, it is very important that the data produced by the laboratory and its QA system are of the highest quality. EMLab's NVLAP accreditation is a mark of this capability," states Dr. Kamash Ramanathan, EMLab's Laboratory Manager.

NVLAP provides an unbiased third-party recognition of quality performance by a laboratory through strict series of assessments.  NVLAP accreditation represents a laboratory’s proven ability to meet or exceed technical requirements set by NVLAP management. NVLAP is in full conformance with the standards of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and has become an industry standard for excellence. Areas of assessment include: quality systems, personnel, equipment, measurement traceability, sampling, accommodation and environment, test and calibration methods, handling and reports.

EMLab™ is recognized as one of the leading commercial indoor air quality laboratories in North America, specializing in the analysis of air and surface samples for asbestos, bacteria, and fungi.  EMLab™ over 40 service and drop-off locations nationwide and has received AIHA, A2LA, NVLAP, and CA-ELAP accreditations. For more information, visit the official website at EMLab.com or call 866-888-6653.

San Bruno, CA, November 1, 2006 - Environmental Microbiology Laboratory, Inc. (EMLab™) is pleased to announce the accreditation of its Fort Worth regional laboratory by the National Volunteer Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP) and licensing from the Texas Department of State Health Services (Texas DSHS) for PLM bulk asbestos analysis (NVLAP Lab Code: 200738-0 and Texas DSHS Lab Code: 30-0365).

"With our Texas lab receiving NVLAP and Texas DSHS accreditations, EMLab™ continues to demonstrate it is among the very best asbestos laboratories in the nation.  The recognition shows that the analytical data produced from any of our facilities is always of the highest quality. As major health and financial decisions are made based on the laboratory results and on the quality system in place in the laboratory, it is very important that the data produced by the laboratory and its QA system are of the highest quality. EMLab's NVLAP accreditation is a mark of this capability," states Dr. Kamash Ramanathan, EMLab’s Laboratory Manager.

NVLAP provides an unbiased third-party recognition of quality performance by a laboratory through strict series of assessments.  NVLAP accreditation represents a laboratory’s proven ability to meet or exceed technical requirements set by NVLAP management. NVLAP is in full conformance with the standards of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and has become an industry standard for excellence. Areas of assessment include: quality systems, personnel, equipment, measurement traceability, sampling, accommodation and environment, test and calibration methods, handling and reports.

Texas DSHS verifies that an asbestos laboratory is properly accredited before it can begin accepting asbestos samples from Texas. It also insures that the company is implementing all Texas business regulations.
   
EMLab™ is recognized as one of the leading commercial indoor air quality laboratories in North America, specializing in the analysis of air and surface samples for asbestos, bacteria, and fungi.  EMLab™ over 40 service and drop-off locations nationwide and has received AIHA, A2LA, NVLAP, and CA-ELAP accreditations. For more information, visit the official website at EMLab.com or call 866-888-6653.

San Bruno, CA, March 8, 2006 - Environmental Microbiology Laboratory, Inc. (EMLab™) is pleased to announce the accreditation of its New Jersey MicroLab™ (EMLAP: 179626) by the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) for spore trap and direct exam air analysis.

AIHA distinguishes a laboratory as having met or exceeded defined standards for performance based on examination of a variety of criteria.  The primary areas of examination are: personnel qualifications, participation in the EMPAT program, facilities, quality assurance, laboratory records, methods of analysis, standard operating procedures, and site visits.

Dave Gallup, Chairman of EMLab™, said "We are proud of our association with the AIHA and are pleased to provide this accreditation in keeping with our mission of being the benchmark for quality, turnaround time, and customer service in the indoor air quality (IAQ) industry. We are proud to add this location to our list of 14 other accredited laboratories and over 25 PAACB certified analysts."

EMLab™ is recognized as one of the leading commercial indoor air quality laboratories in North America, specializing in the analysis of air and surface samples for asbestos, bacteria, and fungi.  EMLab™ has received AIHA, A2LA, NVLAP, and CA-ELAP accreditations. For more information, visit the official website at EMLab.com or call 866-888-6653.

San Bruno, CA, April 12, 2006 – To meet the demanding needs of a culturally diverse IAQ industry, American Home Laboratories, Inc. (AHL) has released a comprehensive Spanish version of MoldREPORT™.  

"This is a great opportunity for our company to extend our quality services to the Spanish-speaking community," announced Dr. David Bell, President of AHL.

MoldREPORT™ is the industry standard interpretive report used in real estate inspections nationwide. It addresses the concerns of IAQ professionals and their clients through clear, concise language. The report is designed to send directly to the client in order to save the IAQ professional valuable time.  It is a simple, cost-effective tool for Home Inspectors to help determine whether there is a mold problem on the premises.

For more information about MoldREPORT™ and American Home Laboratories, Inc. visit the official website at MoldREPORT.com or call 866-224-1527.

San Bruno, CA, March 1, 2006 - Environmental Microbiology Laboratory, Inc. (EMLab™) is pleased to announce the accreditation of its Fort Lauderdale Regional Laboratory (NVLAP Lab Code: 200738-0) by the National Volunteer Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP)for PLM bulk asbestos analysis.

"This accreditation is a great accomplishment and re-emphasizes the fact that EMLab™ is among the very best indoor air quality laboratories in North America. As major decisions are taken based on the results from the lab, it is very important that the data generated by a lab is of the highest quality and NVLAP accreditation serves as a testimony for this high quality," states Dr. Kamash Ramanathan, EMLab’s Laboratory Manager.

NVLAP provides recognition of quality performance by a laboratory through strict unbiased assessment.  NVLAP accreditation represents a laboratory’s proven ability to meet or exceed technical requirements set by NVLAP management.  Areas of assessment include: Quality systems, Personnel, Accommodation and environment, Test and calibration methods, Equipment, Measurement traceability, Sampling, Handling of test and calibration items, and Test and calibration reports.

EMLab™ is recognized as one of the leading commercial indoor air quality laboratories in North America, specializing in the analysis of air and surface samples for asbestos, bacteria, and fungi.  EMLab™ has received AIHA, A2LA, NVLAP, and CA-ELAP accreditations. For more information, visit the official website at EMLab.com or call 866-888-6653.

For IAQ professionals, choosing a good lab is one of the most important business decisions you can make.  How do you know that the fungal data that you are receiving is accurate?  Will it stand up in court?  Has an educated, experienced, trained analyst actually thought about your sample and your project, understood what you were looking for, and then used their knowledge to answer the question you were asking?  The answers to these questions can mean the difference between winning lawsuits and leaving you and your clients exposed.  This article outlines how to choose the best lab for you — and how to get the most out of your current lab.

Most professionals want a laboratory that provides high quality analysis, good service, fast turnaround time, and reasonable prices.  The first step in selecting a lab is to decide which factors are most important to you.  If your business provides advice related to human health or legal contests, then I would argue that quality and reliability should probably be the most important factors.

What do I mean by "quality"
Well, for example, how confident are you that starch granules, which can be common in indoor environments, are not being reported as mold spores?  This is just one of the common mistakes I have seen from experienced laboratories due to poor quality systems or inadequate analyst training, education or experience.  A mistake like that can lead to inappropriate recommendations, unnecessary expenditures, or can cause your client to lose a lawsuit. Asking the following questions will help you identify the best laboratories:

Analysts
What fraction of the analysts have Ph.D.s or Master's Degrees in mycology, microbiology or a related field?  A good lab should probably have close to half of the analysts with advanced degrees.  Does every analyst have at least a Bachelor's degree in biology or microbiology?

Training
Has every analyst undergone formalized, documented training with a qualified expert?

Quality Programs
•  Participation is not enough: check EMPAT results.  Look for scores consistently higher than 100.  If your lab doesn’t publish all their results, ask yourself why.
•  Are there clear, written procedures for every function in the lab and for the quality system?  Are these procedures rigorously followed and enforced?  The best way to find out is to quiz lab employees at random (over the phone or in person) about procedures and quality systems.
•  Does the lab perform blind duplicate comparisons amongst analysts to assure consistent, reliable and provable analysis quality?

Laboratory Tour
A lab tour gives you the chance to “kick the tires,” meet the analysts, and evaluate the overall professionalism of the lab.  A reputable laboratory should always give clients the opportunity to visit.  Ultimately, a lab tour is the best way to make an informed decision.

Services
How good is the service, including phone support, web references, online access to your data, or customized reports?  For example, a good lab should be proactive about calling you to discuss unusual results, mislabeled samples, etc.  If you request a same day rush, does the laboratory consistently deliver on time?  How good is their data management and tracking?  Can they quickly tell you who received the sample, who prepared it, who analyzed it, who reported it, and when?  Are they able to consistently remember your preferences?  Do you have someone you can call if you have a question, and does that person consistently provide you with useful answers?

Finally, before you settle on a lab, you might consider asking the advise of independent experts in the field.  Ask public departments of health, recognized industry experts, or other professionals for their opinions.  Choosing a good lab can mean the difference between winning lawsuits and leaving you and your clients exposed, and ultimately can save you trouble — and money.

Quality and Accuracy You Can Trust.
http://www.EMLab.com

Copyright © 2006 Environmental Microbiology Laboratory, Inc.

Trustworthy, Trained, and Truthful. These 3T's greatly affect your decision when you choose your lab. Ask yourself these questions: Is the data you are receiving accurate and can you TRUST the data being provided? Is an educated, experienced, TRAINED analyst analyzing your samples? Is the lab always TRUTHFUL, not hiding any errors that might have occurred during the process? If you ask these questions before choosing a lab, you will have peace of mind when you make decisions based on your lab results. A good lab can make all the difference between winning and losing lawsuits. Now let's further examine how to choose a good lab.

Let's explore all the factors that can influence the decision of selecting a laboratory:
•  Reputation/Reliability
•  Quality of Analysis
•  Customer Service
•  Turnaround Time
•  Price
•  Local Presence
 
Most of us would like a lab that can provide all of these. And if must make a choice, then you'd want a lab with high quality analyses, good service, fast turnaround time, and reasonable prices. Even though these are all important factors that rightly influence your decision, the two most important factors that cannot and should not be negotiated are the Reliability and Quality.

What is Reliability?
It is your trust in your lab. In a broader sense it means "your peace of mind." How confident are you that your samples were handled correctly, reported properly, and that the data provided is accurate? How confident are you that you will get your data on time when you have requested for a rush service? Will your lab call you proactively to resolve issues like samples damaged in shipping, missing samples, and unusual results? Are the analysts available and knowledgeable to answer your questions? Does the lab have a good sample tracking system and processes in place that is rigorous enough to undergo legal scrutiny in a confrontational lawsuit?

What is Quality?
A correct analysis (i.e. "high quality" analysis) can be the difference between making a correct or incorrect decision. An incorrect decision could put people's health at risk on one hand or create unnecessary costs for your clients. How can you measure quality? Start by asking your lab questions like:
•  Do they have a rigorous quality assurance system in place?
•  Are the quality assurance protocols strictly being followed?
•  Does the lab have a clear written procedure for every aspect of the work being conducted in the lab?
•  Does the lab participate in the proficiency testing rounds? If yes, can you have a copy of their results and scores?
•  Does the lab employ analysts with higher levels of education?
•  Do the analysts receive proper training?

The answer to these questions will help you measure the lab's quality. To provide a good quality analysis, the lab must employ analysts with experience, sound knowledge, and college degrees who can use their knowledge to answer the questions you are asking. The analysts should have also undergone a formalized, documented training with a qualified expert. Proper training is essential for all asbestos analysis. It is also important to have proper training in the use of stereo and polarized light microscopes, a thorough knowledge in dispersion staining and polarized light microscopy, and familiarity in the morphology and crystal characteristics of asbestos and other fibers. The quality systems and the training of the analysts are important in analyzing and reporting asbestos samples. Without these, the data provided may be factually incorrect and, even if correct, may not hold up in court.

Remember that choosing a good lab helps you provide great service for your business. Choosing a good lab can also determine if you win or lose a lawsuit and ultimately lets you work with peace of mind.

Quality and Accuracy You Can Trust.
http://www.EMLab.com

Copyright © 2006 Environmental Microbiology Laboratory, Inc.