Microbiology Testing Laboratory

Huntington Beach, CA, June 17^th, 2020

As buildings across California were quickly shut down earlier this year due to COVID-19 closures, maintenance functions, routine building inspections, and controlling moisture from HVAC systems and weather-related events didn’t take place in some facilities. Now, as residents continue to return to work, some are encountering mold and moisture issues in the workplace.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) does enforce numerous standards that limit the amount of hazardous chemicals or substances that workers can be exposed to, but when it comes to mold exposure in the workplace, there are currently no federal standards or recommendations (OSHA, NIOSH or EPA) for airborne concentrations of mold or mold spores. However, when it comes to overall worker protection, the General Duty Clause of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act) states that employers have the responsibility to provide a safe and healthful workplace that is free from serious recognized hazards.

Molds in Indoor Workplaces, a fact sheet produced by the California Department of Health Services, reports: “There are no standards to say how much mold is hazardous to your health. There should not be visible mold growth or strong moldy odors in the workplace.” The document continues, “If you see or smell mold, or if you or others are experiencing mold-related symptoms, report it so the problem can be investigated.”

“Studies have shown that exposure to building dampness and mold have been associated with respiratory symptoms, asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, rhinosinusitis, bronchitis and respiratory infections,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “At LA Testing, our scientists are dedicated to helping workers and residents of California identify mold and other indoor environmental quality pollutants with air, surface and dust sample analyses. Our California laboratories also provide all of the sampling supplies needed, easy-to-use test kits, air monitoring instruments, building inspection tools and personal protective equipment.”

LA Testing has even sponsored an educational video about mold exposure in the work environment that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/hhjzdddTQ7o.

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