Mold Testing Services

Huntington Beach, California, October 18, 2024

Last month, a State of California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office in Santa Ana was temporarily closed. The unexpected closure was the result of the discovery of mold inside the facility, according to local media.

Anytime there are indoor humidity issues, flooding events, or water leaks it can lead to the growth of mold. Mold multiplies by producing microscopic spores that are so small they easily float through the air. At elevated levels, these can be a respiratory concern. Allergic reactions are quite common and can be immediate or delayed, and may include hay fever-like symptoms such as headache, sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash. Mold can even cause asthma attacks in people with the condition who are allergic to mold. In addition, exposure to mold can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs of individuals whether or not they are allergic to it. There are even some species of mold associated with water damaged buildings that can cause opportunistic infections in people with a weakened or suppressed immune system.

“The good news is the mold in this case was discovered and corrective actions appear to have been taken,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “Indoor environmental quality testing can be instrumental in cases like this for identifying mold contamination and other indoor exposure risks before conditions reach levels that could result in the temporary or permanent closure of a building. Testing is also crucial for assessing an indoor environment after cleanup and remediation of any mold and moisture problems, to ensure the problem has been properly taken care of.”

To help in these efforts, LA Testing has laboratories in California that offer testing services for mold and other indoor contaminants, sampling supplies, easy-to-use test kits, and building inspection tools. They have even sponsored an educational video about health concerns that can be caused by breathing mold that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/61eTg1WfJHo

To learn more about mold, indoor environmental quality, health, and safety testing resources, please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com, or call (800) 755-1794. To access 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.