Microbiology Testing Services

Huntington Beach, California, September 18, 2024

Fungal Disease Awareness Week (FDAW) takes place this year from September 16^th through the 20^th. The 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 fungal diseases in California and throughout the rest of the United States.

CDC warns that fungal diseases are increasing worldwide. In some places, the agency cautions it is difficult to avoid breathing in fungal spores that cause infections like histoplasmosis, blastomycosis, or Valley fever.

“Fungal infections often occur in people with a weakened or suppressed immune system, but exposure to elevated levels of fungi can cause other concerns for virtually anyone,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager at LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “Breathing elevated levels of fungi can cause respiratory irritation, allergies, or act as an asthma trigger for some people with the condition. This is why water damage or humidity issues in the built environment that have resulted in mold growth can lead to concerns for any building occupant.”

To protect the public, healthcare patients, and workers, LA Testing offers indoor environmental quality (IEQ) and infection control laboratory testing services to identify fungi and other microbial contaminants. Their California laboratories also provide sampling supplies, easy-to-use test kits, air monitoring instruments, and building inspection tools to identify 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 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 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.