Huntington Beach, CA, February 15, 2024
This week, Mayor Todd Gloria declared a state of emergency in the City of San Diego. The proclamation followed the 4th wettest day on record and the wettest January ever recorded.
All of the rain brought widespread flooding and property damage to San Diego and other parts of Southern California. As the region begins to dry out, property owners and tenants are faced with cleaning up the mess and filing insurance claims.
This is also an important time for residents of flooded communities to recognize that many homes and businesses that were damaged may now pose health and safety concerns for building occupants and those with cleanup and repair responsibilities. This is due to the fact that standing water and wet materials are a breeding ground for microorganisms, including everything from viruses and bacteria to mold. These organisms can be on surfaces and penetrate deep into soaked, porous materials. Floodwaters also often contain sewage and chemical contaminants such as fuels, fertilizers and industrial chemicals.
“A number of these contaminants are a skin contact hazard and many can become an airborne exposure risk,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “People tasked with cleaning up and repairing damaged properties should also be aware of lead-based paints and asbestos-containing materials that can easily become aerosolized when disturbed.”
With multiple laboratories in California, LA Testing provides area residents with environmental testing services for mold, bacteria, viruses, lead-based paints, asbestos and a wide range of chemical contaminants. They also offer sampling supplies, easy-to-use test kits, and carry a full line of building inspection tools and PPE to help identify exposure hazards. They have even sponsored an educational video about flood cleanup and the indoor environment that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/3Q1tnHFkPF0
To learn more about testing for indoor environmental quality (IEQ) contaminants following a flood, 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 environmental and indoor air quality testing of asbestos, mold, bacteria, 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 ELLAP, AIHA EMLAP and AIHA IHLAP, 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 and San Diego.