Air Quality Testing Services

Huntington Beach, CA, March 2, 2023 

Throughout California, approximately 75,000 eating and drinking establishments employ close to 2 million workers and generate tens of billions of dollars in sales each year. Restaurants and commercial kitchens play a vital role in the state’s economy, but in some instances, kitchens in these businesses can also be a significant source of indoor air pollution if there is a lack of ventilation. 

Exhaust from restaurants and commercial kitchens can even be the cause outdoor air pollution issues in urban environments. Exposure to elevated levels of some of these airborne pollutants could exacerbate respiratory illnesses, such as trigger an asthma attack in some asthmatics, as well as create other health concerns. 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lists wood and gas stoves as sources of combustion products that impact indoor air quality (IAQ). The agency lists carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and particles as major pollutants released by these types of stoves. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) provides even more detailed information about indoor air pollution from cooking. It reports that natural gas and propane can also release formaldehyde into the air and that even electric stoves can generate unhealthy air pollutants from heating oil, fat and other food ingredients, especially at high temperatures. These could include such organic chemicals as acrolein and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). 

“When people think about air pollutants and sources, kitchens rarely come to mind, but they can be a significant source of airborne contaminants,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager at LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “Even people living or working in crowded areas of California that happen to be by busy restaurants or commercial kitchens that don’t have exhaust filtration systems could be exposed to elevated levels organic chemicals, gases, odors and particulate matter. At LA Testing, we offer laboratory services, sampling supplies and air monitoring instruments to identify these types of exposure risks to help protect workers and the public.” 

LA Testing has also sponsored an educational video about indoor air pollution from cooking that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/HI3drF4yY2U 

To learn more about air quality testing services and monitoring instruments, please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 755-1794. 

About LA Testing

LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for environmental and 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 general public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA LAP LLC., AIHA ELLAP, AIHA EMLAP and AIHA IHLAP, 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 and San Diego.