EMSL Analytical and Roche Diagnostics Sign Letter of Intent

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EMSL Analytical and Roche Diagnostics Sign Letter of Intent to Begin New

Promotional Partnership

_WEBWIRE_ (http://www.webwire.com/) – Monday, September 08, 2008

Contact Information

Cochrane

Director of Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

800-220-3675

_pcochrane@..._ (mailto:pcochrane@...)

EMSL Analytical and Roche Diagnostics will collaborate to promote PCR-based,

mold analysis to consumers and indoor air quality professionals.

EMSL Analytical, Inc. and the Applied Science division of Roche Diagnostics

Corporation have reached an exclusive relationship to jointly raise awareness

and market demand for the Environmental Relative Moldiness Index (ERMI).

ERMI is an objective, standardized, DNA-based method of mold analysis,

developed

by scientists at the US Environmental Protection Agency, that has been shown

to be superior to traditional culture methods for detecting and measuring

mold levels.1 The ERMI index, or numerical rating scale, was developed by

testing a representative sample of more than 1,100 homes across the nation, as

part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD’s) 2006

American Healthy Homes Survey. 2

As a leading provider of environmental laboratory services, EMSL Analytical

has been one of the pioneers of the ERMI technology since its introduction,

providing environmental professionals and property owners with answers to

their mold questions and concerns utilizing the ERMI assay. EMSL’s offering

provides a quick and simple way to test a property and compare it to the

EPA’s

national database, to determine the relative moldiness of a home. Roche

Diagnostics manufactures a test kit that enables environmental testing labs,

like

EMSL, to perform the ERMI analysis on dust samples from their customer’s

properties. Roche, the world’s largest biotech company, is also a leading

research-focused healthcare group in the fields of pharmaceuticals and

diagnostics. The

new partnership allows EMSL to offer the cutting edge testing to new

markets, with the support of the premier developer of the testing technology.

According to the US EPA, molds produce allergens, irritants, and potentially

toxic substances. US EPA data suggests a correlation between childhood

asthma and mold levels in homes. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation

of

America (AAFA) over 20 million Americans are affected by asthma, and the

national annual cost of asthma that is attributable to dampness and mold

exposure in the home is estimated to be $3.5 billion.3 Analysis indicates that

exposure to dampness and mold in buildings poses significant public health and

economic risks in the U.S. The mold analysis market in 2005 was estimated at $50

million annually.4

“This unique partnership brings many unique strengths and resources to

clients of EMSL,†reported DeMalo, Senior Vice President, Laboratory

Services, EMSL Analytical. “The technical resources from EMSL and Roche

Diagnostics

create an unmatched team of scientific experts,†DeMalo continued.

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.

EMSL Analytical is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of

environmental, food, and materials testing services and products to

professionals and the general public. The company has an extensive list of

accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal

regulating bodies.

For more information on mold, indoor air quality and EMSL’s ERMI testing

services call (800) 220-3675, visit _www.emsl.com_ (http://www.emsl.com/) or

email _info@..._ (mailto:info@...) . To learn more about EMSL

Analytical please visit: _www.EMSL.com_ (http://www.emsl.com/) ,

_www.moldinspectionkit.com_ (http://www.moldinspectionkit.com/) or

_www.LATesting.com_

(http://www.latesting.com/) .

References

1. J. Environ. Monit. 6:615-620 (2004)

2. J Occup Environ Med. 2007;49:829 – 833

3. Mudarri, D. and W.J. Fisk, " Public health and economic impact of dampness

and mold " . Indoor Air, 2007. 17(3): p. 226-235.

4. Levin H (2005) National Expenditures for IAQ Problem Prevention or

Mitigation. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Report., Berkeley, CA (LBNL

58694).

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