HABs Testing Services

Huntington Beach, California, June 16, 2025

The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) recently conducted outreach and published resources about freshwater harmful algal blooms (HABs) in recreational water throughout the state. This is timely since during the warmer months, the potential for HABs in California waterways increases significantly.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) describes HABs as the rapid growth of algae or cyanobacteria that can cause harm to people, animals, or the local ecology. Harmful algae or cyanobacteria can look like foam, scum, paint, or mats on the surface of water, and can be different colors.

OEHHA warns that many cyanobacteria can produce toxins, which are collectively referred to as cyanotoxins. The agency goes on to caution that several cyanotoxins are extremely toxic to laboratory animals and have poisoned people.

“HABs occur in fresh and marine waters across California and many other states every year,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager at LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “It’s not just people that can be exposed by skin contact, inhaling aerosols, or accidently swallowing water, dogs playing in or near HABs can also be harmed. For humans, exposure can cause skin or eye irritation, cold and flu-like symptoms, vomiting, diarrhea, and more serious effects.”

Red tides, blue-green algae, and cyanobacteria are all examples of HABs. Each can have a severe impact on health, aquatic ecosystems, and even local economies. To help identify HABs, the aquatic scientists at LA Testing offer laboratory services to safeguard residents, water utilities, and businesses that depend on clean water. Their California laboratories provide a wide range of testing services, including algal identification, algal biomass analysis, and various algal toxin testing from water, air, and soil samples.

Several years ago, LA Testing sponsored an educational video about harmful algal blooms that can still be seen at: https://youtu.be/JF8UnMJ84HU 

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

  

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.