Mold Testing Services

Huntington Beach, California, May 21, 2024

Last month, the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at a residential property in Valley Springs, CA, resulting in the eradication of more than 500 marijuana plants. In addition to the illicit cultivation estimated to be worth potentially over $500,000, authorities reported excessive amounts of mold throughout the property, posing significant health risks to occupants.

According to a statement from the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office:

The discovery of mold stresses the potential health hazards associated with unregulated marijuana cultivation. Mold exposure can lead to respiratory issues, allergic reactions, and other serious health concerns, particularly in indoor environments.

This type of damage is common in properties converted for the large scale growth of marijuana. Even in a small grow operation in a home, exposure to elevated levels of mold can become a significant problem. If not properly remediated, it can even have an impact on the health of future building occupants.

“Mold will quickly begin to grow due to the high humidity levels that are almost always present in these illegal grow operations,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager at LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “Residential properties are not designed to handle this type of an environment. With high humidity, most building materials, furnishings and personal belongings will easily support the growth of mold in a relatively short period of time. Mold contamination can be costly to remediate and its presence will almost surely have a negative impact on the value of a property. If marijuana is also being smoked in the residence, smoke contamination from residues can cause ongoing odor issues. Illegal grow houses also often use an assortment of fertilizers and pesticides that can cause additional exposure hazards.”

Helping property owners, managers and tenants identify mold contamination, odors, chemicals, smoke residues and other indoor environmental quality (IEQ) issues are the scientists at LA Testing. They provide air, surface and bulk testing, as well as offer sampling supplies, easy-to-use test kits and air monitoring instruments.

To learn more about this or other indoor air quality, environmental, health and safety testing resources, 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 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.