Microbiology Testing Services

Huntington Beach, California, September 17, 2025

This year, Fungal Disease Awareness Week (FDAW) takes place from September 15^th through the 19^th. The annual event, promoted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is used by the agency and partners to highlight the importance of recognizing, treating, and preventing fungal diseases.

 

The CDC warns:

Shifts in the environment may increase the impact of fungal diseases. Studies show that global temperature increases may allow environmental infectious fungi to grow in new areas that were previously too cold. Changes in the climate may also cause fungi to evolve, threatening the rise of new fungal infections. Some researchers believe climate change caused the emergence of the deadly fungus C. auris.

 

“People with a weakened or suppressed immune system are at heightened risk of developing fungal infections, but anyone exposed to elevated levels of fungi could also be at risk,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager at LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “Exposure to airborne fungi can also cause respiratory irritation, allergies, or act as an asthma trigger for some people with the condition.”

 

To protect the public, healthcare patients, and workers, LA Testing offers indoor environmental quality (IEQ) and infection control laboratory testing services to identify fungi and other microbial contaminants in the built environment. Their California laboratories also provide sampling supplies, easy-to-use test kits, air monitoring instruments, building inspection tools to identify microbial growth, and personal protective equipment.

 

Several years ago, LA Testing sponsored an educational video about Fungal Disease Awareness Week that can still be seen at: https://youtu.be/T5y-dctOU2w

 

To learn more about infection control or indoor environmental quality testing resources, please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com, or call (800) 755-1794. To access 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.