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 can be especially true for people with a weakened or suppressed immune system.
According to the CDC:
Fungal diseases are increasing worldwide, and signs suggest this trend will continue. Studies show that global temperature increases may allow environmental infectious fungi to grow in new areas that were previously too cold. Changes in the climate may also cause fungi to evolve, threatening the rise of new fungal infections. Some researchers believe climate change caused the emergence of the deadly fungus C. auris.
“The theme for FDAW this year is The Growing Need to Think Fungus,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager at LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “In addition to infection concerns, exposure to elevated levels of any type of fungi in the air people breathe can cause respiratory irritation, allergies and even act as an asthma trigger for some people with the condition. These are all reasons why LA Testing supports the efforts of FDAW.”
To help protect workers, building occupants and healthcare patients, LA Testing offers indoor environmental quality (IEQ) and infection control laboratory services to detect fungi and other microbial pathogens and contaminants. Their California laboratories also provide sampling supplies, easy-to-use test kits, air monitoring instruments and building inspection tools to identify conditions conducive for microbial growth. Several years ago, LA Testing sponsored an educational video about Fungal Disease Awareness Week that can still be seen at: https://youtu.be/T5y-dctOU2w
To learn more about mold and other infection control or indoor environmental quality testing services, please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 755-1794. To access IEQ test kits, visit www.EMSLTestKits.com.
About LA Testing
LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for food, consumer product, environmental and indoor air quality testing of asbestos, mold, bacteria, 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.