Huntington Beach, CA, March 27th, 2020
In February, a public university’s newspaper reported that an email had been sent to students and faculty at the school regarding the presence of asbestos-containing construction materials that are known to exist in at least 12 buildings on campus. Materials specifically mentioned by the article include thermal system insulation, floor tiles, door insulation and transite panels.
The reality is there is asbestos-containing materials in countless buildings and homes all across California due to its past widespread use. The County of Los Angeles, Department of Public Health (DPH) states that by the early 1970s more than 3000 different types of products contained asbestos and over 800,000 metric tons of asbestos were used annually in the United States. DPH also reports that the increased popularity and use of asbestos coincided with an important and unfortunate discovery. When large amounts of asbestos fibers are inhaled into the lungs over many years, they can cause severe scarring and in some cases, cancer.
“Informing students, teachers and other building occupants of the discovery of asbestos-containing materials provides important information to the public,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “However, just because those materials exist doesn’t mean people are being exposed to asbestos fibers through inhalation. Air and dust sampling can quickly provide that information. If the materials are not releasing fibers, they should be monitored to ensure they do not become friable and disturbed, or handled in an unsafe manner during any future demolition, reconstruction or remodeling activities.”
The scientists and environmental experts at LA Testing provide asbestos testing services, sampling supplies, test kits and personal protective equipment (PPE) across California. With multiple laboratories across the state, LA Testing offers air, dust, soil, water and bulk material testing for asbestos and other potentially hazardous materials that may be present in buildings.
To learn more about asbestos or other environmental testing services and products, please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 755-1794. For access to indoor environmental quality (IEQ) test kits for asbestos, 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.