Legionella Testing Services

Huntington Beach, California, November 8, 2024

Last month, local media in San Diego reported that two downtown buildings had tested positive for Legionella bacteria. Both federal buildings house courthouses and other functions. The discovery was reportedly part of a proactive approach to managing Legionella exposure risks in the buildings.

Legionella can be found naturally in the environment, typically in water, and in some building water systems. If people inhale contaminated water from a building water system that has not been adequately maintained, they could potentially develop Legionnaires’ disease or Pontiac fever. Tragically, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that Legionnaires’ disease can be fatal in up to 10% of diagnosed cases.

“The California Department of Public Health shares that about 500 laboratory-confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease are reported in the state each year,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “There are very likely many other unconfirmed cases occurring annually. These are all reason why proactive water management programs to reduce the risk of Legionnaires’ disease associated with building water systems and devices are so strongly recommended. As this case showcases, routine environmental sampling for Legionella can be an effective way to identify risks so that adjustments can be made to water management programs.”

With multiple laboratories in California, LA Testing offers laboratory services and specialized sampling supplies to detect Legionella and many other microbial pathogens from environmental samples. In fact, LA Testing's South Pasadena and Huntington Beach laboratories are both CDC ELITE laboratories for Legionella testing.

To learn more about Legionella or other 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.