Legionnaires’ Disease Cases Investigated by Riverside County Public Health

LA Testing offers PCR and traditional culturing methods to quickly and accurately identify the microbial pathogen that causes Legionnaires’ disease and Pontiac fever from environmental samples.

Huntington Beach, CA, May 18th, 2022 The Riverside County Department of Environmental Health recently announced it was investigating a cluster of Legionnaires’ disease cases in Palm Springs, Palm Desert, and some surrounding communities. The outbreak includes at least 20 cases, including 14 hospitalizations and 2 deaths that occurred between last fall and early this year. As part of the investigation, a number of pools and spas in the Palm Springs area were temporarily closed so health officials could test them for Legionella. The.......[Read More] [All News]

Chloroform Exposure Risks for Workers in California

LA Testing provides environmental and industrial hygiene laboratory testing services to identify and mitigate occupational exposures to chloroform and other chemical hazards.

Huntington Beach, CA, May 16th, 2022 Chloroform is a colorless liquid that can quickly evaporate into a gas. It was once used as an inhaled anesthetic for surgical procedures; as an extraction solvent for fats, oils, greases, and other products; as a dry-cleaning spot remover; as a fumigant; and was even used in some fire extinguishers. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), chloroform is currently used in some refrigerants, solvents and for chemical manufacturing. It is also released from.......[Read More] [All News]

Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month and Identifying Airborne Pollutants in California Homes, Schools and Businesses

LA Testing offers indoor environmental quality testing services, sampling supplies, test kits and air monitoring instruments to detect a wide range of asthma triggers, allergens and respiratory irritants.

Huntington Beach, CA, May 12th, 2022 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that as recently as 2019, over 375 residents of California died from asthma that year alone. Millions of people in the state have the chronic lung disease that makes breathing difficult and many more suffer from allergies. The month of May is recognized as Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month. It is a time to spread awareness and educate the public about ways to prevent or mitigate exposure risks that could trigger an asthma attack or.......[Read More] [All News]

Municipalities, Institutions and Businesses in California Participate in Building Safety Month

LA Testing offers microbial, chemical and radiological testing services, along with sampling supplies, test kits, building inspection tools and air monitoring instruments to identify exposure risks in the built environment.

Huntington Beach, CA, May 9th, 2022 Across California, a number of private businesses, organizations, and state and local government agencies are taking part in Building Safety Month. The event is sponsored and supported by the nonprofit International Code Council and many partners. The month of recognition has taken place each May for the past 42 years. Building Safety Month initiatives help to provide homeowners, government officials and the public with the information and resources to prepare and protect the built environment. .......[Read More] [All News]

National Lyme Disease Awareness Month and California Residents Learn How to Test Ticks for Borrelia burgdorferi

LA Testing offers laboratory services and sampling kits to identify Borrelia burgdorferi from infected ticks to help determine Lyme disease exposure risks.

Huntington Beach, CA, May 5th, 2022 According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States. The disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and rarely, Borrelia mayonii. It is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health reports the western blacklegged tick has been recovered from 56 of 58 California counties, including Los Angeles County. Typical symptoms of Lyme.......[Read More] [All News]

Wildfire Preparedness Week in California and Identifying Smoke, Soot and Odor Damage in Homes and Buildings

LA Testing provides laboratory services, sampling supplies, test kits and air monitoring instruments to identify damage in properties impacted by wildfire smoke.

Huntington Beach, CA, May 3rd, 2022 Each year, the first week of May is recognized as Wildfire Preparedness Week in California. It is a time for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) and partner agencies to spread awareness about wildfires and proactive ways people, communities and businesses can protect themselves against the threat of wildfires. Last year’s Wildfire Preparedness Week proclamation stated: All Californians have a critical role in protecting themselves and their communities from.......[Read More] [All News]

The Importance of Testing Drinking Water in California for Asbestos and Other Contaminants

LA Testing provides laboratory services and sampling supplies to identify asbestos and a wide range of other potential drinking water contaminants.

Huntington Beach, CA, May 2nd, 2022 Inhalation exposure to asbestos fibers has long been known to cause diseases such as lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma. Far fewer people realize they may also be ingesting asbestos fibers in the water they drink. During the last century, cement pipes made with asbestos were commonly used in drinking water distributions systems. This went on for decades and although the practice peaked in large parts of the country in the mid-1900s, many of these pipes are still in operation. In an asbestos fact.......[Read More] [All News]

DIY Projects in California and the Importance of Testing for Potential Hidden Exposure Hazards

LA Testing provides indoor environmental quality testing services, sampling supplies, test kits, air monitoring instruments and building inspection tools to help identify exposure risks commonly encountered during home improvement projects.

Huntington Beach, CA, April 27th, 2022 Throughout California, countless people take on do-it-yourself (DIY) home improvement projects each year. Many of these projects can save money for a homeowner with the skills to successfully complete the job, but there are a number of potential hazards they may encounter. In addition to issues with building code compliance, laws, permits, ladders, sharp tools, and electrical and gas hazards, a homeowner taking on one of these projects could face a myriad of hidden exposure risks. One of these.......[Read More] [All News]