Contra Costa Health Investigates Two Legionella Deaths Possibly Linked to Local Day Spa

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 to help prevent outbreaks.

Huntington Beach, CA, September 27, 2023 Last month, Contra Costa Health (CCH) announced it was investigating an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease that is potentially linked to visits to a day spa in Richmond, California. Two deaths and a third person that recovered from the infection are part of the investigation.   According to CCH, the people that died had both reportedly visited the spa just days prior to the onset of their illnesses. The individual that recovered had used the hot tub at the spa. Environmental.......[Read More] [All News]

Protecting Workers in California from Dermal Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals

LA Testing provides industrial hygiene and environmental testing services, sampling supplies, monitoring instruments and personal protective equipment to identify and mitigate occupational exposure risks.

Huntington Beach, CA, September 25, 2023 The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) estimates that more than 13 million workers in the United States are potentially exposed to chemicals that can be absorbed through the skin. Dermal exposure to hazardous agents can result in a variety of occupational diseases and disorders, including occupational skin diseases (OSD) and systemic toxicity.   Occupational skin diseases are in fact the second most common type of occupational disease reports NIOSH. They can.......[Read More] [All News]

Fungal Disease Awareness Week and Mitigating Exposure Risks in California

LA Testing provides laboratory services, sampling supplies, test kits, air monitoring instruments and building inspection tools to detect mold and moisture in the built environment.

Huntington Beach, CA, September 20, 2023 For 2023, September 18th through the 22nd has been designated as Fungal Disease Awareness Week (FDAW). This annual event, promoted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is used by the agency and partners to highlight the importance of recognizing, treating and preventing serious fungal diseases in the United States.   Fungal diseases are often caused by fungi that are quite common in the environment. While most fungi are not dangerous, some can be harmful to health. This.......[Read More] [All News]

EPA Proposes Tough New Lead Paint Standards and Resources to Protect Children in California

LA Testing offers environmental, material and industrial hygiene testing services to detect lead and other regulated substances to protect the public and to help businesses comply with health and safety regulations.

Huntington Beach, CA, September 14, 2023 In July, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed strengthening requirements for the removal of lead-based paint hazards in pre-1978 buildings and child care facilities. The proposed changes to abatement activities are meant to better protect children and communities from the harmful effects of exposure to dust generated from lead paint.   If finalized, the new rule is estimated to reduce the lead exposures of approximately 250,000 to 500,000 children under age six each.......[Read More] [All News]

National Preparedness Month and EHS Resources for Companies and Institutions in California

LA Testing offers environmental, health and safety (EHS) testing services, sampling supplies, test kits, building inspection tools, air monitoring instruments and personal protective equipment to help manage disasters.

Huntington Beach, CA, September 11, 2023 Since 2004, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has designated September as National Preparedness Month (NPM). The month-long observance is designed to educate and encourage people in California and across the nation to take steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses, institutions and communities.   Preparing for a disaster includes being ready for a wide range of possible events. These may include natural hazards such as floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires.......[Read More] [All News]

New Maximum Contaminant Level Proposed for Hexavalent Chromium in California’s Drinking Water

LA Testing offers laboratory services to identify hexavalent chromium from environmental and industrial hygiene samples to protect people and to help water utilities and companies maintain regulatory compliance.

Huntington Beach, CA, September 7, 2023 The California Water Boards announced in June that the State Water Resources Control Board had reached another milestone in the process of creating a maximum contaminant level (MCL) for hexavalent chromium by formally proposing to set the level at 10 parts per billion (ppb). If implemented, the MCL would bring a new standard of public health protection to the state’s drinking water. According to the California Water Boards media release: The proposal includes a three-stage compliance.......[Read More] [All News]

Respiratory Protection Week in California and Mitigating Airborne Exposure Risks

LA Testing offers a wide range of personal protective equipment (PPE) and laboratory testing services to support industrial hygiene programs that safeguard workers and help to keep companies in compliance with Cal/OSHA regulations.

Huntington Beach, California, September 5, 2023 The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) annually promotes Respiratory Protection Week to recognize the vital role that it plays for millions of workers in California and across the rest of the United States. For 2023, the weekly observance takes place from September 5th through the 8th.   NIOSH utilizes Respiratory Protection Week to share their findings and educational tools to promote proper respiratory protection practices to prevent illnesses and deaths.......[Read More] [All News]

California to Receive Over $5 Million to Protect Children from Lead in Drinking Water at Schools and Childcare Facilities

LA Testing offers laboratory services, sampling supplies and test kits to identify lead hazards from water sources as well as from air, soil, dust, paint, and bulk samples.

Huntington Beach, California, August 25, 2023 Last month, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $5,732,000 in grant funding to protect children from lead in drinking water at schools and childcare facilities in California. The funds can be used for testing, compliance monitoring and lead in drinking water remediation projects.   The agency reports that this is the first time that activities that remove sources of lead in drinking water are eligible to receive funding through the Water Infrastructure Improvements.......[Read More] [All News]