Asbestos Testing Services

Huntington Beach, CA, April 5^th, 2022

Siding shingles are one of the many building materials the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warns were sometimes made with asbestos. The California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) also cautions that some siding shingles were manufactured with asbestos and that consumers should avoid disturbing these products.

According to the Minnesota Department of Health, asbestos fibers were added during the production of some siding products to strengthen them, to increase their durability, and to provide a limited amount of insulation and fireproofing. They list wood shake vapor barriers, cement-asbestos board (transite) siding, “slate” siding, mastics, adhesives, and paints as some of the siding products that could contain asbestos.

“Unfortunately, siding materials that contain asbestos can still be found on some residential, commercial and institutional buildings constructed up until the early 1980s in California and throughout the country,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager at LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “If these materials are disturbed, asbestos fibers can be released into the air. Exposure to asbestos fibers, whether from siding products or other building materials, can result in a number of health concerns. These include mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer. The handling, removal and disposal of asbestos is also highly regulated in California. Siding materials are rarely labeled as containing asbestos so the only way to know for sure if it is present is to have it tested.”

With multiple locations, LA Testing offers laboratory services to detect asbestos from bulk materials as well as from industrial hygiene and environmental samples. They also provide sampling supplies, easy-to-use test kits and personal protective equipment (PPE).

To learn more about asbestos or other building science, occupational, health and safety services, please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 755-1794. For access to asbestos and other environmental test kits, visit www.EMSLTestKits.com.    

About LA Testing

LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for indoor air quality testing of asbestos, mold, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash, and smoke damage, particulates, and other chemicals.  In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA-LAP, LLC (AIHA-LAP, LLC EMLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC IHLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC ELLAP), CDC ELITE, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health, and other states.  LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Huntington Beach, San Leandro, San Diego, and Ontario.