VOCs and Odor Testing Services

Huntington Beach, CA, October 12^th, 2020

With millions of people spending more time at home this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, home improvement projects have become even more popular. This is especially true for DIYers that have been busy sprucing up their home’s interior with a fresh coat of paint.

Whether painting a home, multi-tenant complex, school or business, the process can create exposure concerns for DIY enthusiasts, professional painters and any building occupants in the area for an extended period of time. This is due to paint odors and fumes. Paints contain various chemicals, including many that have volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that easily evaporate into the surrounding air.

Exposure to these paint fumes can cause a variety of health concerns. These vary greatly and as with any chemical exposure, the likelihood of a reaction, and the extent and type of health effect depends on many factors. These include the amount of VOCs in the air, the length of time a person is exposed, their age, any pre-existing medical conditions and the individual’s susceptibility. Eye, throat and lung irritation; headaches; dizziness and vision problems are all among the immediate symptoms that some people experience after exposure to paint fumes.

“It’s pretty common for building occupants to have complaints and concerns when spending significant time in an indoor area that has recently been painted or is still being painted,” said Joseph Frasca, LA Testing’s Senior Vice President of Marketing. “Exposure to elevated levels of VOCs and other chemical compounds are a concern for everyone, but this is especially true for children and those who have respiratory issues. At LA Testing, we provide indoor air quality testing services and sampling supplies to identify VOCs and many other chemical exposure risks in homes, schools and businesses.”

LA Testing has also sponsored an educational video about paint fumes and tips to minimize exposure to VOCs that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/Qv_7M8blU1s.

To learn more about VOC testing or other environmental, health and safety services, please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 755-1794.


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.