Mold Testing Services

Huntington Beach, California, August 26, 2025

Most species of Fusarium are harmless, but others can cause costly plant damage or spoil cereal crops through the production of mycotoxins, such as fumonisins and trichothecenes. Exposure to elevated levels of Fusarium can even cause potential health issues for humans.

In homes and buildings that have suffered water damage or elevated humidity levels resulting in mold growth, Fusarium is sometimes found in surface and air samples. Breathing high levels of it, or other types of mold, may cause allergic reactions in some people or act as a respiratory irritant. For some asthmatics, it could even trigger an asthma attack.

Some species of Fusarium can also cause infections. People with healthy immune systems may develop infections of the nails or in the cornea. There have even been past investigations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of outbreaks of Fusarium keratitis that were associated with contaminated eye products. People with weakened immune systems could develop aggressive infections impacting the bloodstream or other parts of the body.  

“Fusarium is a large genus of fungi that can be found widely distributed in soil and on plants,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “Fortunately for most healthy people, exposure to pathogenic fungi usually does not result in disease, but that is not necessarily the case for anyone with a suppressed or weakened immune system. Elevated levels of Fusarium or various other fungal pathogens in places that house people who may be susceptible to infections, like hospitals, long-term care facilities, and nursing homes, are a concern as Fusarium infections can be difficult to treat as they are often resistant to antifungal drugs.”

In California, LA Testing operates multiple laboratories that offer environmental, infection control, consumer product, and material testing services that identify mold and other microbial contaminants. They also provide sampling supplies, easy-to-use test kits, air monitoring instruments, and building inspection tools. Last year, LA Testing even sponsored an educational video about Fusarium as an indoor environmental quality (IEQ) contaminant and opportunistic pathogen. The video can be seen at: https://youtu.be/KF3ZhWjBLi0 

To learn more about Fusarium or other microbial testing resources, please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com, or call (800) 755-1794. For access to mold and other IEQ test kits, visit www.EMSLTestKits.com.

 

LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for environmental, indoor air quality and material testing for mercury, 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.