Huntington Beach, CA, October 22nd, 2018
Just a few weeks into the fall season and residents of California are enjoying cooler temperatures and all types of outdoor activities. Unfortunately, fall is also ragweed season in some areas which causes misery for countless people who are allergic to its pollen. In fact, ragweed is considered to be the most significant allergy trigger in fall, although there are other plants that also release pollen during this time of year.
Natural outdoor sources of mold, another common allergen, are also quite common during the fall months. Piles of damp leaves or other organic material make for an ideal place for mold to grow and release spores into the air. When people who are allergic to mold come into contact with it, their immune system releases antibodies that attack the allergen. Histamines are released into the body and trigger the allergic reactions common to so many people. For some people, this same airborne allergen could even trigger an asthma attack.
“Allergens and other outdoor air quality pollutants can be a concern for people spending time outdoors and even for those indoors as these allergens can enter homes and buildings through open doors and windows, on people’s clothes and through air intakes in HVAC systems,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “For those who experience allergies all year long, they should also consider possible indoor allergens that they may be exposed to on a regular basis. Common indoor allergens include mold growing indoors as well as dust mites, pet dander, latex, insect and rodent allergens.”
California residents wondering if their allergies could be the result of exposure to indoor allergens can to LA Testing for answers. LA Testing offers indoor environmental quality (IEQ) testing services, sampling supplies, air monitoring instruments and easy-to-use test kits to identify these types of environmental allergens. If test results come back positive for exposure concerns, people can then take corrective actions to minimize their exposure or to eliminate the source of the allergen from their indoor environment. The laboratory specialists have even sponsored an educational video about fall allergies and both the indoor and outdoor allergens people may be exposed to this time of year. The video can be seen at: https://youtu.be/rVwk46k-RqI.
To learn more about testing for allergens or other indoor air quality and environmental issues, please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 755-1794. For access to indoor allergen or other IEQ test kits, visit www.EMSLTestKits.com.
About LA Testing
LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for indoor 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, 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.