Huntington Beach, CA, April 10th, 2020
Recently, KTLA in Los Angeles broadcasted a story about tenant complaints at an apartment complex. According to their report and interviews, multiple current and former tenants have raised concerns with the complex’s management about water leaks, mold growth and ongoing respiratory issues the tenants believe are directly related to mold exposure in their homes.
Mold problems in apartments, condos and single-family homes can easily occur if water damage or elevated levels of humidity are not addressed in a timely manner. It will often begin to grow in under 48 hours on many building materials, furnishings and personal belongings when enough moisture is present. The mold growth can not only damage materials, but can also quickly lead to indoor air quality (IAQ) concerns and potential health issues.
Exposure to elevated levels of mold can cause allergies and act as a respiratory irritant. For some asthmatics, exposure could also trigger an asthma attack. Breathing high levels of mold can also exacerbate other respiratory conditions, such as COPD. For people with a weakened or suppressed immune system, some types of mold associated with water damaged buildings can also cause opportunistic infections.
“Tenants and homeowners should be on the lookout for signs of water damage and musty odors in their homes,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “To help in these situations, LA Testing offers laboratory services, sampling supplies and easy-to-use test kits to identify mold and other indoor environmental quality (IEQ) issues. We even carry a full line of building inspection tools, such as moisture meters and infrared cameras, which can be very useful for identifying conditions conducive for mold growth.”
LA Testing has also sponsored a video about apartments, mold and indoor air quality that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/AFjuj-Asb5I.
To learn more about mold or other environmental, building science, health and safety testing issues, please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 755-1794. For access to 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-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.