Press Releases at LATesting

Huntington Beach, CA, September 14^th, 2016  

Last month, the Whittier Daily News published a story a school district filing a multimillion dollar lawsuit against two companies. The companies were hired in 2015 as part of a project to upgrade to energy-efficient lighting in three of the district’s schools. The project reportedly came to a quick end when the school district’s hazardous materials coordinator feared that asbestos from insulation that was disturbed by the contractors was causing contamination. A subsequent investigation confirmed the fears, which resulted in a $3.5 million cleanup project.

In the past, asbestos was added to a number of common building materials to increase their strength and durability, and to provide insulating and fireproofing properties. Many schools, homes and buildings across California still have asbestos in them.  A few of the many materials that may contain asbestos in older structures include: 

• Fireproofing materials
• Attic and wall insulation
• Vinyl floor tiles and the backing on vinyl sheet flooring
• Adhesives
• Roofing and siding shingles
• Textured paint and patching compounds used on walls and ceilings
• Hot water and steam pipes coated with asbestos material or covered with an asbestos blanket or tape

“Anytime asbestos-containing materials are disturbed without the proper safety precautions, asbestos fibers can become airborne,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager at LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “Construction, remodeling and demolition activities can easily result in exposure hazards if these materials are not properly handled. To help prevent workers and the public from exposure to asbestos, LA Testing offers comprehensive analytical services and all of the sampling supplies necessary to identify asbestos-containing materials and fibers from air and surface samples.”

To learn more about indoor environmental and air quality testing or other building and property inspection services, please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 755-1794. For access to indoor environmental test kits, visit www.EMSLTestKits.com.

About LA Testing

LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for air quality testing of asbestos, mold, 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, NVLAP, CDC ELITE, 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 Huntington Beach, San Diego, San Leandro and South Pasadena.