Vapor Intrusion Testing Services

Huntington Beach, California, June 23, 2025

It was recently reported that the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) was expanding environmental testing at a senior apartment complex in Contra Costa County. The testing will look for vapor intrusion threats in the complex due to possible soil and water contamination from a chemical known as tetrachloroethylene (PCE).

Tetrachloroethylene is a manufactured chemical that has been used widely for dry cleaning, as a chemical intermediate, metal degreaser, and as a component of some consumer products. 

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has determined that tetrachloroethylene may reasonably be anticipated to be a carcinogen and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified it as a Group 2A carcinogen. Back in 1988, California designated it under Prop 65, as known to cause cancer.

“Vapor intrusion occurs when there is a migration of vapor-forming chemicals, such as PCE, from any subsurface source into an overlying building,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “This subsurface source is often contaminated groundwater, soil, or both. These vapor-forming chemicals can cause indoor air quality (IAQ) problems, and in some circumstances, pose a health concern for building occupants.”

To help identify these types of exposure risks, LA Testing offers comprehensive vapor intrusion, water, soil, and other laboratory testing services and sampling supplies from their California facilities. LA Testing has even sponsored an educational video about vapor intrusion and indoor air quality that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/kkxtq1TfbnQ 

To learn more about vapor intrusion or other environmental, health, and safety testing resources, 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.