Air Toxics Testing

Huntington Beach, California, June 24, 2024

Multiple media outlets reported last month on a lawsuit filed by nearly 1,000 people living near a large municipal landfill in Los Angeles County that is operated by a private company. The civil suit against the landfill alleges toxic odors and fumes have resulted in numerous health issues for those living in the area.   

Back in February, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it had ordered the operators of the landfill to take immediate steps to protect human health and the environment at its non-hazardous municipal solid waste landfill in Castaic, California. The order required the company to mitigate off-site community impacts caused by noxious odors and hazardous waste leachate, and to contain and reduce the smoldering or reaction event occurring at the landfill. 

EPA also shared that in 2023, residents of the communities surrounding the landfill submitted more than 6,800 complaints of odor nuisance to the South Coast Air Quality Monitoring District (SCAQMD). Residents reported numerous health impacts from the noxious odors, including eye irritation, respiratory symptoms and skin issues. SCAQMD consistently traced odors back to the landfill and the reaction area. It has also taken independent enforcement actions to mitigate the public health impacts caused to the community by the odors.   

“Landfill odors are a common problem across the nation,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “These odors can be a real nuisance for nearby residents, lower property values, and even potentially be a health concern in some cases. LA Testing, with laboratories throughout California, can help in these situations. We offer environmental testing services to identify odor, fume and other exposure risks due to chemical, microbial and combustion sources. LA Testing also provides sampling supplies, air monitoring instruments and personal protective equipment.”

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