IAQ Testing Services

Huntington Beach, CA, January 17^th, 2019

In October of last year, the Journal of Environmental and Public Health published research from the Loma Linda University School of Public Health and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) about elevated levels of mold in homes in the Eastern Coachella Valley of California. The study also looked at asthma and respiratory illnesses in residents and found that rates were higher in this area than the national average.

Researchers wrote, “The higher levels of mold contamination in their homes appear to be associated with a greater risk of asthma/respiratory illness for these low-income, Hispanic communities.” This is not surprising to many health advocates as exposure to elevated levels of mold can cause a wide variety of health concerns. Mold is a known allergen and common asthma trigger for some people with the condition. It is also a frequent respiratory irritant. For people with a weakened or suppressed immune system, some types of mold found in water damaged buildings can even cause opportunistic infections.

“According to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), asthma rates have increased dramatically over the last three decades in our state,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “CDPH also reports that about 40,000 Californians are hospitalized every year because of asthma and that hospitalization rates among children are much higher than other age groups. This is why research, such as the recent study posted in the Journal of Environmental and Public Health, should be a call to action for people to check their homes, schools and work environments for water damage, elevated humidity levels and mold contamination.”

To help residents of California identify environmental asthma triggers and respiratory irritants, such as mold, the laboratory specialists at LA Testing offer air, surface and dust sample analyses for a wide range of microbiological and chemical substances. They even provide an easy to use test kit for common indoor allergens. If test results indicate a problem, corrective actions can then be implemented to remove or mitigate exposure risks to help people manage their asthma and help ensure healthy IAQ.

To learn more about mold, indoor air quality or other environmental, occupational, health and safety issues, 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 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.