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Mold Testing Laboratory

Category Press Release
Publish Date 11/27/2019
Author Paul Cochrane
Title Isla Vista Community Room Temporarily Closed After Discovery of Water Leaks and Mold
Introduction LA Testing offers indoor environmental quality (IEQ) testing services, sampling supplies, test kits and water damage detection equipment to identify mold and other potential exposure risks.

Huntington Beach, CA, November 27th, 2019

The Daily Nexus recently published an article about the temporary closure of a community conference room owned by Santa Barbara County. According to the article, the closure was the result of two water leaks that caused damage. One leak came from a faulty water pipe and the other due to a failed air conditioner condensation pump.

Water was reported to have also resulted in the growth of mold in the walls. Even though mold is a natural part of the environment, when it grows indoors and exposes building occupants to elevated levels of it in the air it often leads to health concerns. Mold is a known allergen, irritant and asthma trigger for some people. Some types of mold also produce toxic substances known as mycotoxins and there are some species of mold associated with water damaged buildings that can also cause opportunistic infections in people with a weakened or suppressed immune system.

“It’s quite common for there to be a relatively minor leak in a wall or ceiling cavity that goes on for some time,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “Elevated humidity levels and even minor water damage can result in the growth of mold in as short as 48 hours. Even if the mold is out of sight, mold spores can easily make their way into rooms and even HVAC systems. This can result in mold contamination and air quality issues in areas some distance from the actual mold growth.”

To help in these situations, LA Testing provides analytical services, sampling supplies, easy-to-use test kits and building inspection tools to identify mold and other indoor contaminants. Testing not only provides evidence of whether mold is an issue, it can also identify the types and concentrations of various mold species. This information is crucial when post remediation tests are conducted after cleanup and repairs take place to help ensure the building is once again suitable for building occupants.

To learn more about mold and indoor air quality testing (IAQ) 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 quality test kits, please 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-LAP, LLC EMLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC IHLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC ELLAP), 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, San Diego and Ontario.

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