Histoplasmosis and Identifying Fungal Exposure Risks in California Homes, Buildings, and Worksites

LA Testing provides infection control and environmental testing services to identify microbial pathogens, including those associated with bird droppings and bat guano.

Huntington Beach, California, December 6, 2024 This past summer, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health published an animal health advisory about 18 cats and 6 dogs that acquired a fungal infection known as histoplasmosis. The cases came from a wide geographic range, including the San Fernando Valley, Crescenta Valley, San Gabriel Valley, Southeast LA County, and the South Bay area.  Histoplasmosis is the name for an infection caused by Histoplasma capsulatum. The fungus lives in the environment, particularly in soil.......[Read More] [All News]

Stricter Lead Standards for California’s Pre-1978 Homes and Childcare Facilities

LA Testing provides laboratory services, sampling supplies, test kits, and personal protective equipment to identify and mitigate lead exposure hazards to protect the public, and to help keep businesses in regulatory compliance.

Huntington Beach, California, December 2, 2024 Back in early 2022, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) put into effect a new standard for “Lead-Contaminated Dust” in the state. CDPH lowered the standard for interior floor surfaces from 40 micrograms (µg) of lead in dust per square foot (ft2) to 10 µg/ft2, and for interior horizontal surfaces from 250 µg/ft2 to 100 µg/ft2.  The standard for exterior floor and exterior horizontal surfaces remained at 400 µg/ft2. This.......[Read More] [All News]

The Mountain Fire in California Leaves a Path of Property Damage and Destruction

LA Testing provides laboratory services, sampling supplies, air monitoring instruments, and test kits to identify indoor smoke damage, residues, and odors caused by wildfires.

Huntington Beach, California, November 15, 2024 More than 20,000 acres have already burned and over 130 homes have been destroyed by the Mountain Fire in Ventura County. Firefighters are tackling the wildfire which continues to be a threat to many in the area.   People’s health, even miles from the flames, is a concern as exposure to wildfire smoke can cause short-term health effects. These may include irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat, as well as coughing, sneezing, runny nose, and shortness of breath. Exposure to.......[Read More] [All News]

Year-End Equipment and Supply Purchase Tax Benefits for EHS Professionals in California

LA Testing provides industrial hygienists, home inspectors, and environmental, health, and safety (EHS) professionals with sampling supplies, monitoring instruments, inspection tools, personal protective equipment, and other resources.

Huntington Beach, California, November 15, 2024 Looking to take advantage of significant tax benefits, many business owners and managers make year-end purchases of equipment and supplies to prepare for the upcoming year. This wise strategy ensures a business has the tools it needs, often saves money with year-end deals, and in many instances, reduces a company’s tax liabilities for the current year.   Providing these resources to professionals in California and from across the West Coast are the equipment specialists at LA.......[Read More] [All News]

Mitigating Aspergillus Infection Risks in California Healthcare Facilities

LA Testing provides infection control laboratory testing services, sampling supplies, test kits, air monitoring instruments, and building inspection tools to identify water damage and mold growth in the built environment.

Huntington Beach, California, November 13, 2024 A mold that can often be found outdoors and in indoor environments that have suffered water damage or elevated humidity levels is known as Aspergillus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that there are approximately 180 species of Aspergillus, but fewer than 40 of them are known to cause infections in humans. Aspergillosis is the name for infections caused by Aspergillus. Aspergillus fumigatus is the most common cause of.......[Read More] [All News]

Legionella Detected in Two Federal Buildings in San Diego

LA Testing offers PCR and traditional culture methods to quickly identify the pathogen that causes Legionnaires’ disease and Pontiac fever from environmental samples to support water management programs and protect the public.

Huntington Beach, California, November 8, 2024 Last month, local media in San Diego reported that two downtown buildings had tested positive for Legionella bacteria. Both federal buildings house courthouses and other functions. The discovery was reportedly part of a proactive approach to managing Legionella exposure risks in the buildings.   Legionella can be found naturally in the environment, typically in water, and in some building water systems. If people inhale contaminated water from a building water system that has not.......[Read More] [All News]

Volatile Organic Compounds and Resources to Protect Building Occupants in California

LA Testing provides laboratory services, sampling supplies, and air monitoring instruments to identify and mitigate exposure risks to a wide range of airborne pollutants in homes, schools, and businesses.

Huntington Beach, California, November 8, 2024 The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) describes volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as compounds that have a high vapor pressure and low water solubility. They include a large group of chemicals that can be found in a number of products and materials used to build, furnish, clean, and maintain homes and buildings. VOCs can also be found in a number of personal care and consumer goods. Concentrations of many VOCs are consistently higher indoors (up to ten times higher) than outdoors,.......[Read More] [All News]

National COPD Awareness Month and California Resources to Optimize Air Quality Conditions

LA Testing provides environmental and industrial hygiene laboratory services, sampling supplies, test kits, and monitoring instruments to detect and mitigate exposure risks to airborne pollutants and pathogens.

Huntington Beach, California, November 6, 2024 The American Lung Association reports that over 1.4 million adults in California have been diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). They also share that COPD annually results in millions of lost workdays, billions of dollars in treatment costs, and tragically, far too many hospitalizations and deaths. COPD refers to a group of diseases, such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis, which cause airflow blockage and breathing-related problems. Common symptoms of the disease.......[Read More] [All News]