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Wildfire Preparedness Week in California and Resources to Protect Against Airborne Pollutants and Smoke Damage

Fire and Smoke Damage Testing Services

Category	Press Release
Publish Date	4/29/2024
Author	Paul Cochrane
Title	Wildfire Preparedness Week in California and Resources to Protect Against Airborne Pollutants and Smoke Damage
Introduction	LA Testing provides air testing services, sampling supplies, test kits, air monitoring instruments and personal protective equipment to detect and mitigate exposure risks to respiratory hazards and to assess property damage from wildfire smoke.
Huntington Beach, California, April 29, 2024 Each year, the first week of May is recognized as Wildfire Preparedness Week in California. During the week, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) and partner agencies share proactive ways that people, communities and businesses can protect themselves and their property from the threat of wildfires. Last year’s Wildfire Preparedness Week proclamation from Governor Newsom stated: Wildfire Preparedness Week emphasizes the importance of collaboration and individual responsibility in reducing and managing wildfire risk. Californians can make their neighborhoods safer by creating defensible space around homes, hardening homes, developing wildfire action plans, and joining Fire Safe Councils and Firewise Communities, which work to regularly assess wildfire risk and prioritize action to address it. “California and much of the West and Southwest have experienced longer and more destructive wildfire seasons in recent times,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager at LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “Tragically, countless homes and buildings are destroyed or severely damaged each year, including structures that may be miles away from the flames. This happens because wildfire smoke infiltrates homes and buildings downwind of the fire. It is comprised of combustion by-products that include soot, ash and char. These substances can have damaging effects to both properties and human health.” LA Testing, with multiple laboratories in California, is a leading provider of smoke damage, particulate matter and odor testing services. They offer surface and air testing services that can be used to prove the presence of residues and odors for insurance purposes. These same tests can also be instrumental after a property is remediated to ensure it has been brought back to pre-fire conditions. LA Testing has even produced an educational video about wildfire smoke damage that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/c0ksscTorHI To learn more about smoke damage, odor and other indoor environmental quality testing services and resources, please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 755-1794. To access easy-to-use Fire & Smoke Damage Test Kits, visit www.EMSLTestKits.com. About LA Testing LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for 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.