Environmental Testing Services

Huntington Beach, California, December 10, 2025

In January, a major fire erupted at a 300-megawatt battery energy storage facility in Moss Landing, California. The site housed approximately 100,000 lithium-ion battery modules, with more than half sustaining damage during the incident. The blaze burned for several days and reignited briefly on February 18.

Since the initial response, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has remained on-site to address the ongoing risks posed by damaged lithium-ion batteries, which can release hydrogen fluoride and other toxic or flammable gases when compromised.

Earlier this fall, the agency began overseeing the removal and disposal of the damaged batteries, a project now recognized as the largest lithium-ion battery cleanup in the agency’s history. Each module is being removed and discharged to minimize the risk of further ignition. Crews are conducting continuous air monitoring and sampling to safeguard workers and nearby residents. Thermal cameras are also being used to detect potential temperature spikes that could indicate thermal runaway, while dust suppression measures such as water trucks and street sweeping have been implemented. Any water collected through the site’s stormwater system, including firefighting runoff, is being contained, sampled, and properly disposed of.

“There have been a number of significant lithium battery fires in California over the last several years,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager at LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “To help protect workers and the public after these types of incidents, LA Testing’s laboratories across California provide environmental, industrial hygiene, and material testing services. We also offer sampling supplies, air monitoring equipment, infrared cameras, and personal protective gear to detect and mitigate exposure risks.”

LA Testing has produced an educational video addressing lithium battery safety concerns, available at: https://youtu.be/YAALnww_JVU 

For more information about LA Testing’s laboratory services and monitoring resources, please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com, or call (800) 755-1794.

 

LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for environmental, indoor air quality and material testing for mercury, 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.