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Optimizing the Indoor Air Quality of California Schools and Universities to Enhance Student Performance

Indoor Air Quality Testing Services

Category	Press Release
Publish Date	8/1/2024
Author	Paul Cochrane
Title	Optimizing the Indoor Air Quality of California Schools and Universities to Enhance Student Performance
Introduction	LA Testing provides indoor air quality and infection control testing services, sampling supplies, test kits and monitoring instruments to improve the learning environment, and to safeguard students and teachers.
Huntington Beach, California, August 1, 2024 The COVID pandemic brought renewed attention to the importance of indoor air quality (IAQ) and infection control programs at educational facilities. However, long before this, it was known that student performance and attendance can be significantly impacted by a wide variety of indoor environmental conditions. In fact, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that programs that promote healthy indoor air quality in schools can: Improve health Increase students’ ability to learn Improve test scores Improve adult productivity in the school system EPA warns that failing to prevent or respond promptly to IAQ problems can increase long- and short-term health effects for students and staff. These may include: Coughing Eye irritation Headaches Allergic reactions Aggravated asthma and/or other respiratory illnesses In rare cases, contribute to life-threatening conditions such as Legionnaire’s disease or carbon monoxide poisoning “Across California, many schools, colleges and universities open their doors this month to begin the new school year,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “Since COVID, many of these institutions have increased ventilation rates and invested in air purification and filtration systems to mitigate the spread of pathogens. Increased ventilation can also help to decrease carbon dioxide levels and student and faculty exposure to other gases and odors; airborne viruses, bacteria and mold; particulate matter; and a wide variety of allergens, respiratory irritants and asthma triggers.” To assist school districts and universities in their efforts to provide a safe and healthy learning environment, LA Testing offers laboratory services for detecting bacteria, viruses, mold, chemicals, asbestos, lead and other common environmental exposure risks. LA Testing also provides sampling supplies, easy-to-use test kits, air monitoring instruments and building inspection tools. They have even sponsored and educational video about IAQ and student performance that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/M-XiWO44KL0 To learn more about this or other building science, infection control, environmental, health and safety testing resources, please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 755-1794. To access environmental 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.