Home »

Biological Pollutants Found in California Homes and Buildings

Indoor Environmental Quality Testing Services

Category	Press Release
Publish Date	10/11/2024
Author	Paul Cochrane
Title	Biological Pollutants Found in California Homes and Buildings
Introduction	LA Testing provides laboratory testing services, sampling supplies, test kits, building inspection tools, air monitoring instruments, and personal protective equipment to identify and mitigate exposure to biological pollutants in the built environment.
Huntington Beach, California, October 11, 2024 Biological pollutants can have a negative impact on the indoor environmental quality (IEQ) of a home, school, business, or any type of building. Some of the more common ones listed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) include bacteria, mold, viruses, animal dander and cat saliva, house dust, dust mites, cockroaches, and pollen. According to the EPA: There are many sources of these pollutants. Pollens originate from plants; viruses are transmitted by people and animals; bacteria are carried by people, animals, and soil and plant debris; and household pets are sources of saliva and animal dander. The protein in urine from rats and mice is a potent allergen. When it dries, it can become airborne. Contaminated central air handling systems can become breeding grounds for mold, mildew and other sources of biological contaminants and can then distribute these contaminants through the home. Possible health effects from exposure to some biological contaminants listed by the agency include: Hypersensitivity pneumonitis Allergic rhinitis Some types of asthma “EPA also reports that possible symptoms of health problems caused by biological pollutants may include sneezing, watery eyes, coughing, shortness of breath, dizziness, lethargy, fever, and even digestive problems,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “Other biological exposure concerns in the indoor environment include viruses, like coronavirus, or exposure to the bacterium that causes Legionnaires’ disease and Pontiac fever.” LA Testing, with multiple laboratories in California, offers laboratory testing services, sampling supplies, easy-to-use test kits, air monitoring instruments, and building inspection tools to detect a wide range of indoor pollutants. They have even sponsored an educational video about common biological pollutants found indoors that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/cz-h5XGYGNg To learn more about indoor environmental quality (IEQ) testing services and 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.